Car Accident Injuries - Frequently Asked Questions
Auto 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 a car accident, hiring an attorney is a essential 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 Directly After the Collision?
Immediately after the collision, seek medical care for any wounds. It is a good idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer produce a report for the collision and go to an emergency room for significant injuries. If the injuries aren't severe 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 accident care.
How is Fault Determined for Collisions in Falls Township, PA?
The fault is ascertained by looking into how the collision occurred and whether one or both drivers were careless. If that negligence caused the collision, 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 accident. Evidence of how the crash occurred, such as photos from the car accident scene, can help determine fault, but it can be identified without evidence in many cases.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive?
The amount of compensation collected depends on many factors, including the medical expenses for your damage, lost wages, the level of pain suffering and loss of enjoyment of life happened because of the other driver's negligence. It is possible to receive a larger amount of compensation after negotiations as the introductory settlement offer will likely be lower. Speaking with a legal professional can provide you with more guidance about how to get the highest amount of possible compensation for your specific situation.
What Types of Compensation Can I Acquire?
Prevalent types of car accident compensation can include health-related expenses, vehicle repair or replacement expenditure, lost wages, and compensation for any other specific expenses relating to the crash. It can also include non-quantifiable expenses like loss of enjoyment of life for those who are permanently disabled from the accident. A legal professional can review what types of quantifiable and non-quantifiable compensation may apply to the situation.
Should I Approve the Settlement Offer?
It is not advisable to accept any settlement offer until a lawyer has reviewed it. The insurance firm will initially propose 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 funds on the claims filed through them. Instead, it's better to have an attorney review it and start negotiations to get a better settlement offer.
How Long Do I Have to Start 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 brief as 90 days, as an example a state entity is only 90 days. After this point, a claim can't be started, with very few exceptions. A lawyer can let you know if any of these exceptions 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 approved, that is all you will receive to cover expenses from the crash. Therefore, it's recommended 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 Provider My Side?
No. It is not a wise idea to speak with the other party's insurance company. It's all too easy to mention 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 company. They know what to say to negotiate a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?
If the other driver doesn't have insurance, you'll need to file under the uninsured motorist coverage with your insurance provider. It is still recommended to have a lawyer handle this, as the insurance provider will want to lessen the amount paid out on the claim. The insurance company 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 possible to find out who they are and start 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 feasible to determine who the driver was, the case is treated exactly the same as one with an uninsured motorist.
These answers should cover at least some of the questions you might have about how an 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 Auto Accidents in Falls Township, PA
Automobile accidents are always unforeseen and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of collisions can help drivers avoid collisions that could occur in many situations, though some are inescapable. Watch out for the following common causes of car accidents to be safer while on the road.
Driving While Sidetracked
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for an accident to occur. This includes talking or text messaging on the phone, eating while driving, talking to someone else in the vehicle, 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 constantly, 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 commonly not an issue but going substantially above the speed limit substantially increases the potential for an automobile accident. When speeding, the time it takes to stop the vehicle is heightened, so it may be difficult to swerve around anything in the road or stop the automobile in time to prevent an accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Another major cause of automobile accidents is driving under the influence. Those who have had intoxicating drinks or done drugs before driving have slower reaction times, so they're more likely to cause an automobile accident. Plus, they may cause an accident by not staying in their lane, making an inappropriate turn, or running off the road.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
It's always best to look before entering any intersection. A common cause of car accidents is vehicle operators who run red lights or stop signs. Even if the light has been green for 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 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 protected space and wait out the weather, when possible, as reduced visibility boosts the chance of an automobile accident. If hazards in the road can't be seen in time, there's a higher chance of a collision occurring.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's vital to use a turn signal and wait until there is adequate room. Drivers who change lanes without checking, while too close to another car, or without a turn signal increases the potential for a car accident to occur, even if the speeds are slow at the time of the lane change.
Incorrect Turns
Turning from the improper lane, turning without consideration to oncoming traffic, and other incorrect 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 Incorrect Way
Driving the wrong way down a road is often done by individuals under the influence or those who are not familiar 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 collision is typically a head-on collision, which can cause more significant injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Vehicle operators who have only had a license for a brief amount of time are more likely to end up causing an accident. They do not have the experience on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help evade a crash if there is a hazard in the road, someone stops unexpectedly, or something else happens.
Tailgating
Tailgating or driving too close to another vehicle operator is another common way for auto accidents to occur. If the automobile 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 crash.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to an auto accident while driving. If a driver is angry, they could intentionally or unintentionally hit another vehicle. It is best to slow down and let the driver with road rage get ahead to lessen any issues. If an incident does occur, stay in the vehicle, and call for emergency services.
Driving While Exhausted
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 necessary to stop or swerve if there is anything in the road or for the driver to fall asleep and run off the road. It's always better to find a place to stop and rest instead of driving while tired.
Animals in the Road
Critters 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 crash trying to swerve, or the vehicle can be wrecked 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 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 car accident. Other issues with the car could cause it to stop working abruptly or have trouble staying in the lane, leading to a collision. 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 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.
