5 Important Tips to Remember During a Car Accident
There are few events that can rattle an individual quite like being involved in a car accident. One minute you are riding down the road and the next minute you are experiencing the aftermath of a collision. Serious accidents are obviously more harrowing than others, but even a nominal accident that produces significant personal injuries can be a scary situation as well.
Regardless of the scenario, it is always good to understand several rules to follow when finding yourself in this predicament, including passengers and other witnesses. The time lapse between the occurrence and the arrival of the police can be vital for those who still are capable of movement and can potentially help others who are in peril.
The list includes not only measures an involved party can take, but also a few things that should not be done as well. Chaos typically ensues following an accident, and someone with a serious mindset who understands the protocol can be a real help if not a lifesaver.
Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident
It is illegal for anyone involved in an accident that produces personal injuries to leave the scene until law enforcement officers can arrive and conduct an investigation. This is usually not optional.
Even if someone has already reported the crash, it is important for everyone who witnessed the accident in any capacity to give an accountant of what transpired. However, accidents that result in physical property damage only and the vehicles are still capable of being driven have a different rule.
All drivers must exchange insurance information if they are covered. If not, the driver with insurance coverage should report the incident to the law enforcement officials in the particular jurisdiction, and especially in cases of hit-and-run.
Take Pictures Whenever Possible
Cell phones are very common in the contemporary world and most of them are equipped with high-resolution cameras, so the ability to take some photographs should be available.
Pictures can serve as excellent items of evidence when a case is being settled, and many times they can help a driver prove a minimum level of personal fault.
Fault for an accident is still an important factor even in no-fault auto insurance states because negligent parties can still be sued under certain circumstances, such as serious injuries or a fatality.
Gross negligence claims could apply when a driver is impaired in any manner or driving at an excessive speed. And, always remember the pictures are personal property and should only be transferred after consulting with an auto accident attorney.
Answer Carefully When Being Questioned by Law Enforcement Officers
A common component of an auto accident investigation will involve police officers conducting interviews with all witnesses, including passengers and often those standing by.
It is always important to answer questions directly without embellishment because the officer will also be submitting information regarding fault for the collision, which could then impact the value of any injury claim.
All auto insurance providers commonly attempt to deny or lessen the financial value of a claim by increasing the contribution to causation to injured claimant drivers, and using statements made to officers that are included on the official accident report can be a reason for a comparative negligence defense. Give yes or no answers whenever possible, and only answer the question that is asked.
Get Medical Evaluation ASAP
Many times an ambulance team is limited in the number of people they can treat on the scene or transport immediately for intensive treatment.
This is a common situation during an auto accident. It is still very important for anyone involved in a crash to be evaluated by medical professionals who can issue a diagnosis and prognosis because even mental anguish can be claimed in an accident settlement.
Internal injuries are also very common, and the shock to the system could mask the perception that injuries were suffered. Internal injuries actually can manifest very quickly and worsen before the victim realizes they are hurt.
X-rays and other internal imaging tests can be performed as well, often revealing an injury that was not apparent superficially. This documentation will be essential for any accident injury claim when the case is settled.
Your Injury Claim May Exceed What You Think
Auto accident injury cases can be very complicated under the right circumstances. They are also strongly defended by most insurance providers and defendants alike.
This is especially true when commercial vehicles are involved and the truck driver is largely at fault for the incident. Trucking companies and other commercial entities always try to get ahead of the curve on the official investigation, including influencing the official accident reconstruction specialist officer.
And, the purpose of quick involvement is always to limit the total payout for all claims associated with the wreck. An experienced car crash lawyer will understand how to investigate the accident on their client’s behalf and offer an alternate version of events that limits the fault of their client while increasing the value of the claim.
This is normally accomplished by focusing on the long-term injury damage and further medical coverage that may be necessary in the future. While much of a claim settlement may include property damage and financial recovery for medical bills, the largest component of a settlement will usually be the non-economic general damages and replacement of lost wages when the claim applies.
All accident injury claims are not equal, and those victims with attorneys normally receive more compensation than those who do not retain legal counsel.
Contact an Experienced Accident Attorney
It is never a good decision for an injured victim to attempt handling an accident injury claim personally. Claims can be much more valuable than the novice injured party realizes, and having solid representation could result in whole financial recovery.
This is especially true for passengers who were not driving because they typically have no comparative negligence percentage rating. Insurance providers are limited in defense when this is the situation.
Every accident victim should have their own legal representative with a solid track record of results who aggressively pursues full compensation for their clients.
Category: Insurance
