Car Crash Injuries - Frequently Asked Questions
Automobile accidents can happen at any time. Those who have never been in one may have many questions about what can happen next and what they should or shouldn't do. If you've been in an auto accident, hiring a lawyer is a vital next step. Before doing so, read these Frequently Asked Questions to learn a little bit more about handling a car accident. Many of your questions may be answered here.
What Should I Do Immediately After the Collision?
Immediately after the crash, seek medical care for any injuries. It is a good idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer produce a report for the crash and go to an emergency room for serious injuries. If the injuries aren't extreme or it doesn't seem like there are any injuries, wait for the police officer to clear the scene and see a doctor for car wreck care.
How is Fault Determined for Accidents in Hazleton, PA?
The fault is established by looking into how the collision occurred and whether one or both drivers were careless. If that negligence caused the accident, the driver or drivers are at fault. It is possible for one motorist to be found at fault or for both drivers involved in the crash to be found liable for the collision. Evidence of how the accident occurred, such as photos from the accident scene, can help determine fault, but it can be established without evidence in many cases.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive?
The amount of compensation received depends on many factors, including the health care expenses for your injuries, lost wages, the level of pain suffering and loss of enjoyment of life occurred because of the other driver's negligence. It is possible to receive a larger amount of compensation after negotiations as the initial settlement offer will likely be low. Speaking with a lawyer can provide you with more guidance about how to get the highest amount of possible compensation for your specific circumstances.
What Forms of Compensation Can I Receive?
Typical types of car accident compensation can include health care expenses, vehicle repair or replacement costs, lost wages, and compensation for any other specific expenses relating to the accident. It can also include non-quantifiable cost like loss of enjoyment of life for those who are permanently disabled from the collision. A legal professional can review what types of quantifiable and non-quantifiable compensation may apply to the situation.
Should I Take the Settlement Offer?
It is not advised to accept any settlement offer until an attorney has reviewed it. The insurance company will initially offer a settlement that's likely far below what the case is worth, hoping it will be accepted and they will no longer owe money for the case. This is a way for them to save money on the claims filed through them. Instead, it's better to have a lawyer review it and start negotiations to get a better settlement offer.
Just how long Do I Have to Submit a Claim?
The time you will have to file a claim is known as the statute of limitations. For New Jersey, this is typically two years however the time to bring a case may be as short as 90 days, as an example a state entity is only 90 days. After this point, a claim cannot be started, with very few exceptions. An attorney can let you know if any of these exemptions apply or help make sure the case is filed in time, so you don't lose out on the opportunity to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Can I File After Getting a Settlement?
No. If the settlement is accepted, that is all you will receive to cover expenses from the crash. Therefore, it's encouraged to have a personal injury attorney review any settlement offer before taking it. There are rare exceptions for this, but they do not apply in most situations.
Should I Tell the Other Driver's Insurance Company My Side?
No. It is not a wise idea to speak with the other party's insurance provider. It's all too easy to state something that can be used against you, especially if it's taken out of context. Instead, hire a legal professional to handle the case and let them deal with the other party's insurance firm. They know what to say to bargain for a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?
If the other vehicle driver doesn't have insurance, you'll need to file under the uninsured motorist coverage with your insurance firm. It is still suggested to have a legal professional handle this, as the insurance company will want to minimize the amount paid out on the claim. The insurance provider will worry about whether they can receive any funds from the uninsured motorist.
What Happens if the Driver Leaves the Scene?
If the vehicle driver leaves the scene of the collision, it may not be viable to find out who they are and file a claim. If they can be found, a claim can be made against their insurance carrier. They may be able to be found based on evidence left at the scene, witness statements if someone wrote down their license plate, or video clip footage from a dash cam that may have a view of the license plate. If it's not plausible to determine who the driver was, the case is treated the same as one with an uninsured individual.
These answers should cover at least some of the questions you might have about how an auto accident should be handled after it happens. If you've been in an accident, speaking with a legal professional is the next step to take. They can provide more specific answers to your case and help you with anything needed to make sure you receive the compensation you're entitled to from the at-fault driver.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Hazleton, PA
Automobile accidents are always unanticipated and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of accidents can help drivers avoid collisions that could occur in many situations, though some are inevitable. Watch out for the following common causes of automobile accidents to be safer while on the road.
Driving While Distracted
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for a car accident to occur. This includes talking or texting on the phone, eating while driving, talking to someone else in the automobile, and anything else that might take the driver's attention away from what's happening on the roadway.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly can be a serious cause of auto accidents. Reckless driving includes switching lanes randomly and frequently, cutting off other vehicles, crossing over multiple lanes at once, and anything else that could reasonably cause an accident to occur.
Speeding
Going a little bit above the speed limit to keep with the flow of traffic is typically not an issue but going substantially above the speed limit greatly increases the potential for an automobile accident. When speeding, the time it takes to stop the vehicle is amplified, so it may be troublesome to swerve around anything in the road or stop the vehicle in time to prevent an accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Another significant cause of car accidents is driving under the influence. Those who have had intoxicating drinks or done drugs before driving a motor vehicle have slower reaction times, so they're more likely to cause a car accident. Plus, they may cause a crash by not staying in their lane, making an improper turn, or running off the road.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
It's always best to look before entering into any intersection. A common cause of collisions is vehicle operators who run red lights or stop signs. Even if the light has been green for some time, look before going to make sure a vehicle isn't going through a red light, as they will end up causing a major accident.
Poor Weather or Visibility
When the weather is lousy, it can be difficult to see, whether that's due to rain or snow. It's much better to pull off the road to a secured space and wait out the weather, when possible, as reduced visibility increases the chance of a crash. If hazards in the road can't be seen in time, there's a higher chance of an accident occurring.
Risky Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's important to use a turn signal and wait until there is enough room. Drivers who change lanes without checking, while too close to another automobile, or without a turn signal raises the potential for an accident to occur, even if the speeds are slow at the time of the lane change.
Unlawful Turns
Turning from the wrong lane, turning without consideration to oncoming traffic, and other unlawful turns have a high likelihood of causing a crash. If a turn is missed, continue going the direction of the lane and turn around when it's safe to do so rather than cut across lanes to make the turn.
Driving the Incorrect Way
Driving the wrong way down a road is often done by drivers under the influence or those who are not really acquainted with the area and may not realize the road is a one-way road. When an automobile is driving the wrong way down the road, the resulting accident is typically a head-on collision, which can cause more severe injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Vehicle operators who have only had a license for a short amount of time are more likely to end up causing a crash. They do not have the skills on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help avoid a collision if there is a hazard in the road, someone stops unexpectedly, or something else happens.
Tailgating
Tailgating or driving too close to another driver is another typical way for collisions to occur. If the car in front needs to slow down or stop for any reason, a collision will result because the vehicle in the back is too close to stop in time. If possible, move over and let tailgaters by to prevent a crash.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to an accident while driving. If a driver is upset, they could intentionally or unintentionally strike another vehicle. It is best to slow down and let the driver with road rage get ahead to prevent any issues. If an incident does occur, stay in the vehicle, and call for emergency services.
Driving While Fatigued
When someone is too exhausted, the street can start to blur, and they can get extremely sleepy. It's possible for them not to have the reaction time needed to stop or swerve if there is anything in the street or for the driver to fall asleep and run off the road. It's always better to find somewhere to stop and rest instead of driving while tired.
Animals in the Road
Animals on the road, especially at night, can lead to an auto accident. This happens in all areas, not just in the country. Drivers may end up causing a car accident trying to swerve, or the vehicle can be damaged if it hits a larger animal. If the driver stops unexpectedly because of an animal in the road, the vehicle behind them may not stop in time, and an accident could occur.
Vehicle Issues
Issues with the vehicle can cause a car accident. A tire blowing out while driving may cause the driver to swerve, and they could get in an accident. Other issues with the car could cause it to stop working suddenly or have trouble staying in the lane, leading to an accident. Accidents occur every day for a variety of reasons. By knowing about the common causes of collisions, you may be able to avoid being in one. If you are ever involved in an accident, speak with a lawyer right away to get the help you need to obtain compensation for any injuries or damages.
Are you ready to experience the difference that experience makes? To speak with an experienced New Jersey car accident lawyer immediately call us toll free at 800.923.3456 or contact us online to see what we can do together.
