Filing for a Car Accident Claim – What You Need to Know
Besides causing immense emotional and physical damages, car accidents can also result in a number of unnecessary legal complications, and that is precisely why your top priority should be filing for a car accident claim.
It has been found that, annually, approximately 1.40 million people die in car accidents around the globe, with 20 to 50 million ending up severely hurt at the very least. If you have been involved in such a devastating situation, acquiring the services of a car accident lawyer would greatly benefit you in the long-run.
Types of Car Accidents:
Single car accident:
As the name suggests, this is a type of accident where only one car is involved. Common causes are fatigue, driving under the influence, excessive speed, and distraction.
Rear-end collision:
When a vehicle hits the other vehicle in front of it, it is called a rear-end collision. These are common and make up for 28% of automobile accidents.
Rear-end collisions are usually caused by not paying attention, inadequate road conditions caused by weather or sudden stops.
Side-impact collision:
These crashes happen mostly at intersections, in parking lots, and can be fatal to passengers, especially to those sitting in the front.
Head-on collision:
When two vehicles hit each other coming from opposite directions, that is called a head-on collision. These types of accidents are somewhat uncommon, but they account for a total of 10% of fatal U.S. car accidents.
Vehicle rollover:
This is a type of accident in which a vehicle rolls over to the side of the roof. Such accidents have higher chances of leading to death. They might occur in single-car accidents or when two drivers are involved.
The influencing factors might include car type, driver’s behavior, or hazardous road conditions. It is widely advised not to wait too much after an injury; tensions between the parties may worsen, and the facts get twisted.
What to Do When Involved in a Car Accident
Discuss the Matter Calmly with the Police
When the police officers arrive on the site, keep your calm and answer questions truthfully. Do not take the blame or admit your own fault, even if you think that might be the case.
You can talk about these aspects with your lawyer at a later date. At the moment, you might not realize that the other party could have contributed to the accident as well.
Get an Official Report
After an accident, it is a good idea to inquire about a police report. You should also request a copy for later use and safekeeping.
Usually, police reports contain the date, time, and location of the incident, the identities of witnesses, statements of both you and the other driver involved, as well as a witness statement, committed violations of the law, and finally – the police officer’s opinion.
Make sure all the data is correct because any inconsistency might make filing a damage claim unnecessarily complicated.
Get Medical Treatment
If you are injured, the rush of adrenaline may prevent you from feeling any pain. Even if this is the case, you should accept any medical treatment offered. Moreover, having an official diagnosis from a medical expert can greatly help for any future damage claims.
Contacting Your Personal Car Accident Lawyer
If you do not have one, find a car accident lawyer right away. Your first instinct might be to call the car insurance company, but that can prove to be a bad idea in the long run, because you can make statements that can affect your claims later on.
A lawyer is your advocate, therefore, they will advise you about the information you should share, and can subsequently contact the insurance company on your behalf.
Victims might feel overwhelmed when faced with the lawful implications of a car accident, as well as the bills that it might incur. The job of your attorney is to help you overcome this difficult process and come out of it as legally unharmed as possible.