Car Accident Injuries - Frequently Asked Questions
Car accidents can happen at any time. Those who have never been in one may have many concerns 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 essential next step. Before doing so, read these Frequently Asked Questions to learn a little bit more about handling an auto accident. Many of your questions may be answered here.
What Should I Do Directly After the Accident?
Immediately after the collision, seek medical care for any injuries. It is an exceptional idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer write a report for the collision and go to an emergency room for serious injuries. If the injuries aren't serious or it doesn't seem like there are any injuries, wait for the cop to clear the scene and see a doctor for car accident care.
How is Fault Determined for Crashes in Newtown Township, PA?
The fault is ascertained by looking into how the collision occurred and whether one or both drivers were neglectful. If that negligence caused the accident, the driver or drivers are at fault. It is possible for one vehicle operator to be found at fault or for both drivers involved in the accident to be found liable for the collision. Evidence of how the crash occurred, such as photos from the automobile accident scene, can help determine fault, but it can be determined without evidence in many cases.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive?
The amount of compensation obtained depends on many factors, including the medical-related expenses for your wounds, lost wages, the amount of pain suffering and loss of enjoyment of life happened because of the other driver's negligence. It is possible to receive a higher amount of compensation after negotiations as the initial settlement offer will likely be lower. Speaking with a legal professional can provide you with more guidance about how to get the maximum amount of possible compensation for your specific situation.
What Forms of Compensation Can I Acquire?
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 collision. It can also include non-quantifiable cost like loss of enjoyment of life for those who are entirely disabled from the crash. An attorney can review what types of quantifiable and non-quantifiable compensation may apply to the situation.
Should I Accept the Settlement Offer?
It is not advisable to accept any settlement offer until a lawyer has reviewed it. The insurance company will initially present a settlement that's likely far below what the case is worth, hoping it will be taken and they will no longer owe money for the case. This is a way for them to save cash on the claims filed through them. Instead, it's better to have an attorney review it and start negotiations to get a larger settlement offer.
Exactly how long Do I Have to Submit a Claim?
The time you must file a claim is known as the statute of limitations. For New Jersey, this is generally two years however the time to bring a case may be as short as 90 days, for example a state entity is only 90 days. After this point, a claim can not be started, with very few exceptions. A legal professional can let you know if any of these exemptions apply or help to 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 advised to have a personal injury attorney review any settlement offer before accepting 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 firm. It's all too easy to state something that can be used against you, especially if it's taken out of context. Instead, hire an attorney to handle the case and let them deal with the other party's insurance provider. They know what to say to bargain for a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
If the other motorist doesn't have insurance, you will have to file under the uninsured motorist coverage with your insurance firm. It is still suggested to have a lawyer handle this, as the insurance provider will want to lessen the amount paid out on the claim. The insurance firm 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 accident, it may not be possible to find out who they are and start a claim. If they can be found, a claim can be made against their insurance provider. 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 feasible to determine who the driver was, the case is treated exactly the same as one with an uninsured driver.
These answers should cover at least some of the issues you might have about how a car accident should be handled after it happens. If you've been in a car accident, speaking with a legal professional is the next step to take. They can provide more targeted 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 Collisions in Newtown Township, PA
Auto accidents are always unexpected and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of accidents can help drivers avoid crashes that could occur in many situations, though some are unavoidable. 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 text messaging on the phone, eating while driving, talking to someone else in the car, and anything else that might take the driver's attention away from what's happening on the road.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly can be a significant cause of car 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 auto 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 significantly increases the potential for a car accident. When speeding, the time it takes to stop the vehicle is increased, so it may be troublesome to swerve around anything in the road or stop the automobile in time to prevent an accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Another significant cause of auto accidents is driving under the influence. Those who have had alcohol 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 car accident 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 auto accidents is car owners who run red lights or stop signs. Even if the light has been green for quite a while, look before going to make sure a vehicle isn't going through a red light, as they will end up causing an accident.
Poor Weather or Visibility
When the weather is poor, 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 safe space and wait out the weather, when possible, as reduced visibility increases the chance of an accident. If hazards in the road can't be seen in time, there's a higher chance of an accident occurring.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's critical to use a turn signal and wait until there is enough room. Drivers who change lanes without checking, while too close to another vehicle, or without a turn signal multiplies the potential for a car accident to occur, even if the speeds are slow at the time of the lane change.
Improper Turns
Turning from the wrong lane, turning without consideration to oncoming traffic, and other unlawful turns have a high likelihood of causing an accident. 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 Wrong Way
Driving the wrong way down a road is often done by motorists under the influence or those who are not familiar with the area and may not realize the road is a one-way road. When a car is driving the wrong way down the road, the resulting crash is typically a head-on collision, which can cause more serious injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Motorists who have only had a license for a limited amount of time are more likely to end up causing a collision. They do not have the experience on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help avoid a crash if there is a hazard in the road, someone stops suddenly, or something else happens.
Tailgating
Tailgating or driving too close to another vehicle operator is another typical way for auto accidents to occur. If the vehicle in front needs to slow down or stop for any reason, a vehicle accident 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 car accident.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to a car accident while driving. If a driver is upset, they could intentionally or unintentionally impact another vehicle. It is best to slow down and let the driver with road rage get ahead to avoid any issues. If an incident does occur, stay in the vehicle, and call for emergency services.
Driving While Exhausted
When someone is too fatigued, the road can start to blur, and they can get extremely sleepy. It's possible for them not to have the reaction time necessary to stop or swerve if there is anything in the roadway or for the driver to fall asleep and run off the road. It's always better to find someplace to stop and rest instead of driving while tired.
Animals in the Road
Animals on the road, especially at night, can lead to a car accident. This happens in all areas, not just in the country. Drivers may end up causing an accident trying to swerve, or the vehicle can be wrecked if it hits a larger animal. If the driver stops abruptly because of an animal in the road, the vehicle behind them may not stop in time, and a car accident could occur.
Vehicle Issues
Issues with the vehicle can cause an auto accident. A tire blowing out while driving may cause the driver to swerve, and they could get in a major accident. Other issues with the vehicle could cause it to stop working suddenly or have trouble staying in the lane, leading to a crash. Accidents occur every day for a variety of reasons. By knowing about the common causes of auto accidents, you may be able to avoid being in one. If you are ever involved in an accident, speak with an attorney 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.
