Car Crash Injuries - Frequently Asked Questions
Car 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 legal representative is a vital 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 Immediately After the Crash?
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 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 wreck care.
How is Fault Determined for Crashes in Limerick, 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 collision to be found responsible for the crash. Evidence of how the accident occurred, such as photos from the automobile 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 obtained depends on many factors, including the medical expenses for your wounds, lost wages, the magnitude of pain suffering and loss of enjoyment of life happened 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 low. Speaking with a lawyer can provide you with more important information about how to get the maximum amount of possible compensation for your specific circumstances.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Receive?
Typical types of car wreck 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 completely 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 recommended to accept any settlement offer until an attorney has reviewed it. The insurance firm will initially present 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 funds 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 Start a Claim?
The time you must 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 can't 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 Getting 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 attorney review any settlement offer before agreeing to 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 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 an attorney to handle the case and let them deal with the other party's insurance firm. They know what to say to hammer out a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Does Not 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 recommended to have a lawyer handle this, as the insurance provider will want to minimize 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 motorist 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 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 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 questions you might have about how an 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 Auto Accidents in Limerick, PA
Automobile accidents are always unanticipated and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of accidents can help drivers avoid crashes that could take place in many situations, though some are unavoidable. Watch out for the following common causes of motor vehicle collisions 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 sending texts on the phone, eating while driving, talking to someone else in the car, and anything else that might take the driver's focus away from what's happening on the roadway.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly can be a major cause of car 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 typically not an issue but going drastically above the speed limit substantially increases the potential for an automobile 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 vehicle in time to prevent an accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Another significant cause of automobile accidents is driving under the influence. Those who have had alcoholic drinks or done drugs before driving a vehicle 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 into any intersection. A common cause of auto 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 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 safe space and wait out the weather, when possible, as reduced visibility heightens the chance of a crash. If hazards in the road can't be seen in time, there's a higher chance of a collision occurring.
Perilous Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's important to use a turn signal and wait until there is sufficient room. Drivers who change lanes without looking, 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.
Incorrect Turns
Turning from the wrong lane, turning without consideration to oncoming traffic, and other improper turns have a high likelihood of causing a car 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 drivers under the influence or those who are not really acquainted with the area and may not understand the road is a one-way road. When a car is driving the wrong way down the road, the resulting accident is typically a head-on impact, 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 knowledge on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help prevent 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 common way for car accidents 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 a car accident.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to an auto accident while driving. If a driver is distressed, they could intentionally or unintentionally hit another vehicle. It is best to slow down and let the driver with road rage get ahead to avoid any issues. If an accident does occur, stay in the vehicle, and call for emergency services.
Driving While Exhausted
When someone is too fatigued, the street can start to blur, and they can get incredibly 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 somewhere to stop and rest instead of driving while tired.
Animals in the Road
Critters 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 a car accident trying to swerve, or the vehicle can be harmed 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 crash 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 an accident. Other issues with the car 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 collisions, 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.
