Each year on U.S. roads nearly 3 million people are injured from a motor vehicle accident, with about 6 million car accidents in total taking place. As a car accident lawyer will tell you, never admit to fault in an accident. In the case of an unfortunate accident, it is of course necessary to exchange information with the other driver or drivers. When doing this, even a seemingly innocent apology can be used against a person. There are numerous potential pitfalls when dealing with personal injury claims, especially when dealing with a motor vehicle accident.
When to Get an Attorney For a Car Accident.
If you are unsure whose fault the accident was, then it is a good idea to seek out a car accident lawyer. This is simply a lawyer familiar with personal injury cases involving motor vehicle crashes. As with any case, the nature of it will determine the defense. A lawyer who knows how to put together a good solid defense will be able to reach a more favorable outcome.
What to Do Immediately After the Accident.
Hopefully you and all of the vehicle’s occupants were uninjured in the accident. If not, then it will be necessary to retain all paperwork related to medical treatments. This includes ambulance rides, hospital admission papers, any interactions with the insurance companies, and doctor’s notes. As the insurance company will be paying for these expenses, it is important to have all of the bills in one place. If one is missed, it can create big problems later down the line. As timeliness is a concern, if you do find yourself paying a bill on your own, keep the receipts and the bill to give to the insurance company for reimbursement. This may take a while, anywhere from one month to a year, but if your insurance covers the medical expenses they will repay any money you paid out of your own pocket. But it’s necessary to show verifiable proof that the treatment was directly related to the accident.
State Laws and Negligence: Consult a Car Accident Lawyer.
Each state has different traffic laws, which means a personal injury case for a car accident will look a little different depending on which state the accident occurred within. A car accident lawyer will explain the laws in your state, as well as how your state defines and determines negligence. Determining negligence is essential to deciding who was at fault, or in other words, whose insurance will be paying the bills. Also, negligence is not an all-or-nothing determination. At times, it might be decided that both parties were at fault to some degree, and the damages and subsequent payment are decided with this in mind.
Some states require drivers to carry no-fault insurance, which is another reason why it is vital to make sure you understand the motor vehicle laws in your state. This feature requires drivers to carry an extra deduction with their car insurance that means the insurance company will automatically pay for the driver’s expenses if they are in an accident. This ensures both parties are taken care of in the event of an accident.
A car accident is extremely stressful, especially when one or both of the parties involved suffer injuries. While common courtesy insists on apologies and such when someone is hurt or inconvenienced, this does not apply after a car accident. Your politeness could be used against you. Just stick to the essentials, such as exchanging information. A car accident lawyer will help you sort out the rest.