Car Wreck 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 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 Immediately After the Crash?
Immediately after the accident, seek medical care for any injuries. It is a great idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer create a report for the crash and go to an emergency room for serious 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 wreck care.
How is Fault Determined for Accidents in Monroeville, PA?
The fault is ascertained by looking into how the collision occurred and whether one or both vehicle operators 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 accident to be found liable for the crash. Evidence of how the crash occurred, such as photos from the car 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 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 starting settlement offer will likely be lower. Speaking with a lawyer can provide you with more information 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 care expenses, vehicle repair or replacement expenses, 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 completely disabled from the collision. A legal professional can review what types of quantifiable and non-quantifiable compensation may apply to the situation.
Should I Take the Settlement Offer?
It is not advised to accept any settlement offer until an attorney 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 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 normally 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 cannot be started, with very few exceptions. A legal professional can let you know if any of these exceptions 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 accident. Therefore, it's recommended to have a personal injury lawyer 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 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 provider. They know what to say to bargain for a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Doesn't 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 encouraged to have an attorney handle this, as the insurance company 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 accident, it may not be viable 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 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 exact same as one with an uninsured motorist.
These answers should cover at least some of the questions you might have about how an auto accident should be handled after it happens. If you've been in a vehicle 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 Automobile Accidents in Monroeville, PA
Car accidents are always unanticipated and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of accidents can help drivers avoid collisions that could happen 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 Preoccupied
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for an auto 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 roadway.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly can be a serious 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 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 substantially above the speed limit substantially 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 considerable cause of auto accidents is driving under the influence. Those who have had intoxicating drinks or done drugs before driving a vehicle have slower reaction times, so they're more likely to cause a car accident. Plus, they may cause an accident by not staying in their lane, making an incorrect 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 some time, 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 bad, 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 multiplies 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.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's crucial to use a turn signal and wait until there is sufficient room. Drivers who change lanes without looking around, while too close to another car, or without a turn signal multiplies the potential for an automobile accident to occur, even if the speeds are slow at the time of the lane change.
Improper 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 drivers under the influence or those who are unfamiliar with the area and may not understand 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 impact, which can cause more severe 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 car accident. They do not have the skills on the road yet to be able to make split-second decisions that could help prevent a collision 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 prevalent way for auto accidents to occur. If the car 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 an accident.
Road Rage
Road rage can lead to an accident while driving. If a driver is distressed, they could intentionally or unintentionally strike 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 exceptionally sleepy. It's possible for them not to have the reaction time required 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 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 a car 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 suddenly 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 your car can cause a car 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 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 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.
