Car Accident Injuries - Frequently Asked Questions
Auto accidents can happen at any time. Those who have never been in one may have many concerns about what can happen next and what they should or shouldn't do. If you've been in a car accident, hiring an attorney is a crucial 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 Immediately After the Collision?
Immediately after the crash, seek medical care for any injuries. It is a great idea to call for emergency services to have a police officer write a report for the accident and go to an emergency room for severe injuries. If the injuries aren't severe 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 wreck care.
How is Fault Determined for Crashes in Upper Moreland, PA?
The fault is determined by looking into how the accident 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 driver to be found at fault or for both drivers involved in the crash to be found accountable for the crash. Evidence of how the accident 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 medical-related expenses for your wounds, lost wages, the magnitude 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 low. Speaking with a legal professional can provide you with more information about how to get the greatest amount of possible compensation for your specific circumstances.
What Forms of Compensation Can I Acquire?
Prevalent types of car crash compensation can include medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement expenditure, 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 entirely disabled from the accident. 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 recommended to accept any settlement offer until a lawyer has reviewed it. The insurance company 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 an attorney 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 typically 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 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 Taking a Settlement?
No. If the settlement is accepted, that is all you will receive to cover expenses from the crash. Therefore, it's encouraged to have a injury attorney 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 state 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 company. 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 vehicle driver doesn't have insurance, you'll need to file under the uninsured motorist coverage with your insurance firm. It is still recommended to have an attorney handle this, as the insurance company 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 motorist leaves the scene of the crash, 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 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 the exact same as one with an uninsured driver.
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 an attorney 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 Auto Accidents in Upper Moreland, PA
Car accidents are always unforeseen and can happen for almost any reason. Knowing the potential causes of crashes can help drivers avoid collisions that could happen in many situations, though some are inevitable. Watch out for the following common causes of motor vehicle collisions to be safer while on the road.
Driving While Sidetracked
Distracted driving is one of the top reasons for a car accident to occur. This includes talking or texting on the phone, eating while driving, talking to someone else in the automobile, 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 constantly, 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 generally not an issue but going significantly above the speed limit greatly increases the potential for a major accident. When speeding, the time it takes to stop the vehicle is heightened, so it may be challenging 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 car 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 a car 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 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 some time, look before going to make sure a motor vehicle isn't going through a red light, as they will end up causing an 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 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.
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 automobile, 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 motorists under the influence or those who are unfamiliar with the area and may not realize the road is a one-way road. When a car is driving the wrong way down the road, the resulting crash is typically a head-on collision, which can cause more serious injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Drivers 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 prevent a crash if there is a hazard in the road, someone stops unexpectedly, or something else happens.
Tailgating
Tailgating or driving too close to another driver is another common way for car accidents to occur. If the automobile 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 a car accident while driving. If a driver is angry, 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 an incident does occur, stay in the vehicle, and call for emergency services.
Driving While Exhausted
When someone is too tired, the roadway 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 roadway 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
Animals 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 an accident trying to swerve, or the vehicle can be harmed 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 an accident 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 a major accident. Other issues with the vehicle could cause it to stop working suddenly 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 car accidents, you may be able to avoid being in one. If you are ever involved in an accident, speak with a legal professional 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.
