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 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 Crash?
Immediately after the collision, seek medical care for any pain. It is a great idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer create a report for the accident and go to an emergency room for severe 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 accident care.
How is Fault Determined for Crashes in Palmer, PA?
The fault is determined by looking into how the accident occurred and whether one or both motorists were negligent. If that negligence caused the crash, 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 collision to be found liable for the collision. Evidence of how the incident occurred, such as photos from the car 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 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 elevated amount of compensation after negotiations as the introductory settlement offer will likely be lower. Speaking with a legal professional can provide you with more information about how to get the highest amount of possible compensation for your specific circumstances.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
Common types of car accident compensation can include health-related 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 Approve the Settlement Offer?
It is not advised to accept any settlement offer until a lawyer has reviewed it. The insurance provider will initially offer 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 a lawyer review it and start negotiations to get a better settlement offer.
How Long Do I Have to Submit a Claim?
The time you have got to 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. An attorney can let you know if any of these exemptions apply or help in making 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 Accepting a Settlement?
No. If the settlement is approved, that is all you will receive to cover expenses from the crash. Therefore, it's advised to have a personal injury lawyer 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 smart idea to speak with the other party's insurance company. It's all too easy to say 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 company. They know what to say to hammer out a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Didn't Have Insurance?
If the other motorist doesn't have insurance, you'll need to file under the uninsured motorist coverage with your insurance company. It is still encouraged to have a legal professional handle this, as the insurance company will want to minimize 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 accident, 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 recording 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 exactly the same as one with an uninsured individual.
These answers should cover at least some of the issues you might have about how an auto accident should be handled after it happens. If you've been in a vehicle accident, speaking with an attorney 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 Automobile Accidents in Palmer, PA
Auto accidents are always unanticipated and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of collisions can help drivers avoid crashes that could happen in many situations, though some are inevitable. Watch out for the following common causes of auto 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 sending texts on the phone, eating while driving, talking to someone else in the car, and anything else that might take the driver's awareness away from what's happening on the road.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly can be a significant cause of auto accidents. Reckless driving includes switching lanes randomly and continually, 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 significantly above the speed limit substantially increases the potential for an automobile accident. When speeding, the time it takes to stop the vehicle is amplified, so it may be challenging to swerve around anything in the road or stop the car in time to prevent an accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Another major cause of car accidents is driving under the influence. Those who have had alcoholic drinks or done drugs before driving a motor vehicle have slower reaction times, so they're more likely to cause an automobile accident. Plus, they may cause a crash 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 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 quite a while, 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 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 protected space and wait out the weather, when possible, as reduced visibility multiplies 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.
Perilous Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's vital to use a turn signal and wait until there is sufficient room. Drivers who change lanes without checking, while too close to another vehicle, or without a turn signal raises 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 regard to oncoming traffic, and other improper 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 Improper 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 recognize the road is a one-way road. When a vehicle is driving the wrong way down the road, the resulting collision is typically a head-on accident, which can cause more significant injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Motorists who have only had a license for a short amount of time are more likely to end up causing an accident. They do not have the skills on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help evade a collision 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 common way for car accidents to occur. If the vehicle in front needs to slow down or stop for any reason, a crash 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 an accident.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to a car 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 Exhausted
When someone is too tired, the road can start to blur, and they can get exceptionally sleepy. It's possible for them not to have the reaction time needed 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
Wildlife 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 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 a crash could occur.
Vehicle Issues
Issues with the vehicle can cause an accident. A tire blowing out while driving may cause the driver to swerve, and they could get in an accident. Other issues with your car could cause it to stop working abruptly 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 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.
