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 an accident. Many of your questions may be answered here.
What Should I Do Directly After the Accident?
Immediately after the accident, seek medical care for any wounds. 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 significant injuries. If the injuries aren't extreme or it doesn't seem like there are any injuries, wait for the law enforcement officer to clear the scene and see a doctor for car crash care.
How is Fault Determined for Accidents in Lancaster City, PA?
The fault is ascertained by looking into how the crash 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 driver to be found at fault or for both drivers involved in the crash to be found accountable 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 identified 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 damage, 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 higher amount of compensation after negotiations as the starting settlement offer will likely be lower. Speaking with an attorney can provide you with more guidance about how to get the highest amount of possible compensation for your specific case.
What Types of Compensation Can I Acquire?
Common types of car accident compensation can include medical 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 costs like loss of enjoyment of life for those who are entirely disabled from the collision. An attorney 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 an attorney has reviewed it. The insurance provider 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 a legal professional review it and start negotiations to get a better 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 limited as 90 days, for 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 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 Accepting a Settlement?
No. If the settlement is approved, that is all you will receive to cover expenses from the collision. Therefore, it's recommended 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 Carrier My Side?
No. It is not a good idea to speak with the other party's insurance firm. It's all too easy to say 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 Didn'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 suggested to have an attorney 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 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 company. 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 possible to determine who the driver was, the case is treated the same as one with an uninsured motorist.
These answers should cover at least some of the concerns you might have about how an 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 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 Lancaster City, PA
Automobile 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 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 texting 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 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 a car 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 drastically above the speed limit significantly increases the potential for an accident. When speeding, the time it takes to stop the vehicle is increased, so it may be challenging to swerve around anything in the road or stop the vehicle 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 intoxicating drinks or done drugs before driving have slower reaction times, so they're more likely to cause an 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 going in 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 motor vehicle isn't going through a red light, as they will end up causing a car 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 secured 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 an accident occurring.
Risky Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's critical to use a turn signal and wait until there is adequate room. Drivers who change lanes without looking around, while too close to another automobile, or without a turn signal multiplies 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 incorrect lane, turning without respect 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 individuals under the influence or those who are unfamiliar with the area and may not understand the road is a one-way road. When an automobile is driving the wrong way down the road, the resulting crash is typically a head-on impact, 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 a crash. They do not have the skills on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help avoid an accident if there is a hazard in the road, someone stops suddenly, or something else happens.
Tailgating
Tailgating or driving too close to another motorist is another typical way for collisions to occur. If the car in front needs to slow down or stop for any reason, an 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 an accident.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to an 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 prevent any issues. If a crash 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 a place to stop and rest instead of driving while tired.
Animals in the Road
Wildlife on the road, especially at night, can lead to an 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 suddenly 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 your car 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 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 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.
