Car Accident Injuries - Frequently Asked Questions
Auto 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 a lawyer 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 Directly After the Crash?
Immediately after the accident, seek medical care for any wounds. It is an exceptional idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer produce 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 cop to clear the scene and see a doctor for car accident care.
How is Fault Determined for Collisions in Pottstown, PA?
The fault is established by looking into how the accident occurred and whether one or both motorists were careless. If that negligence caused the accident, 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 collision to be found responsible for the accident. Evidence of how the collision 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 received depends on many factors, including the health care expenses for your injuries, 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 larger amount of compensation after negotiations as the introductory settlement offer will likely be low. 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 Receive?
Common types of car accident compensation can include health care expenses, vehicle repair or replacement expenditure, lost wages, and compensation for any other specific expenses relating to the collision. It can also include non-quantifiable costs like loss of enjoyment of life for those who are permanently disabled from the collision. A lawyer can review what types of quantifiable and non-quantifiable compensation may apply to the situation.
Should I Take the Settlement Offer?
It is not advisable to accept any settlement offer until a lawyer 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 approved 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 higher settlement offer.
How Long Do I Have to Start a Claim?
The time you have got to 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 limited as 90 days, for instance a state entity is only 90 days. After this point, a claim cannot be started, with very few exceptions. A lawyer 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 Getting a Settlement?
No. If the settlement is taken, 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 accepting 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 provider. 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 lawyer to handle the case and let them deal with the other party's insurance firm. They know what to say to negotiate a higher settlement without risks.
What Happens if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
If the other driver doesn't have insurance, you'll need to file under the uninsured motorist coverage with your insurance company. It is still recommended to have an attorney handle this, as the insurance firm 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 driver leaves the scene of the crash, it may not be possible to find out who they are and submit 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 feasible 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 accident should be handled after it happens. If you've been in a car accident, speaking with a lawyer is the next step to take. They can provide more precise 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 Pottstown, PA
Automobile accidents are always unanticipated and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of collisions can help drivers avoid collisions that could happen in many situations, though some are inescapable. Watch out for the following common causes of motor vehicle collisions to be safer while on the road.
Driving While Preoccupied
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for a car 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 focus away from what's happening on the roadway.
Reckless Driving
Driving recklessly can be a major 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 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 greatly 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 car 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 alcohol drinks or done drugs before driving have slower reaction times, so they're more likely to cause a car 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 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 quite a while, look before going to make sure a car or truck isn't going through a red light, as they will end up causing a car 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 safe space and wait out the weather, when possible, as reduced visibility boosts the chance of a crash. If hazards in the road can't be seen in time, there's a higher chance of a crash occurring.
Unsafe Lane Changes
When changing lanes, it's important to use a turn signal and wait until there is adequate room. Drivers who change lanes without looking, while too close to another automobile, or without a turn signal increases 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 improper lane, turning without regard to oncoming traffic, and other incorrect 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 Improper Way
Driving the wrong way down a road is often done by drivers under the influence or those who are not familiar with the area and may not recognize 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 collision, 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 car accident. They do not have the knowledge 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 abruptly, or something else happens.
Tailgating
Tailgating or driving too close to another driver is another common way for collisions to occur. If the automobile 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 an auto accident while driving. If a driver is distressed, they could intentionally or unintentionally impact another vehicle. It is best to slow down and let the driver with road rage get ahead to avoid 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 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 abruptly 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 accident. A tire blowing out while driving may cause the driver to swerve, and they could get in a car accident. Other issues with your 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 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.
