All posts in Auto Accident

4 Ways To Care For Yourself After A Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/08 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

In automobile accidents, even the slightest fender-bender can be jarring. A million things go through your mind on the impact, and your body experiences side effects from the unexpected shock. Afterwards, there’s potential court summons, insurance rate hikes and medical bills to deal with. To get a handle back on the steering wheel of life, here’s some tips to care for yourself after an accident.

Medical Attention

Depending on the severity of the crash, you might not be able to make the independent decision of receiving medical attention. Unless you are completely uninjured, consider either going to the hospital or making an appointment with your family physician as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine afterwards, some injuries progressively worsen overtime, like whiplash or concussions.

If you have any of these listed symptoms, medical attention is crucial:

Weakness or lethargy
Lose of bladder and/or bowel control
Fluid or blood from the ears or nose
Issues with swallowing, hearing and seeing
Severe pain in the neck, chest or abdominals
Balance or coordination problems

It is also a good idea to have medical records in lieu of the automobile accident being brought to court.

Go Home and Rest

Don’t be afraid to breathe and relax. This is especially important if you are prone to hyperventilating. After you’ve been in an accident it is a good idea to call off whatever plans you’d made. Medical professionals will tell you that the actions taken within the first 72 hours after a traumatic event can greatly affect your recovery time. Once the adrenaline dissipates, you’ll be surprised by how sore your body is. Because post-accident symptoms are common, immediately doing anything that can aggravate injuries you’re not immediately aware of can lengthen your convalescence.

Tackle Negative Emotions

Anxiety after a car crash is normal. Horrible accidents can even cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks, nightmares, feelings of guilt and fears involved with driving or being on the road need to be discussed and corrected. Seek out support from family and friends or visit a cognitive-behavioral therapist or psychiatrist. By talking it out and getting the help that you need you should be able to recover rather quickly and get back on your feet.

Legal Representation

Apart from dealing with possible physical and mental wounds, there’s life issues like medical and repair costs and legal sanctions to manage as well. You might not feel entirely capable of handling everything by yourself. That’s where experts like those at the Jaklitsch Law Group come in. When seeking reimbursement for medical or repair costs, you need lawyers with experience in automobile accidents to build your case while you focus on the most important thing—your health. Call for a free consultation to receive advice on presenting your case and getting the justice you deserve.

Overall, accidents happen—especially out on the road. No matter where you are an incident can strike, leaving you injured and vulnerable. The most important thing to remember is to take care of your own well-being first.

How To Save Money Following A Serious Car Accident

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/07/29 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

If you have just been in a serious car accident, you may be faced with paying medical and other costs while also being out of work. Therefore, it is imperative that you find ways to save money until you are able to get back to work or find other ways to make up your lost earnings. What are some options to help you achieve that goal?

Ask About Debt Settlement

If you have outstanding credit card or other debts, ask to settle those debts for less than you owe. While it may require a lump sum payment now, you may be better prepared to deal with future costs without high-interest debt hanging over your head.

Make Sure That You Fix Your Car

Neglecting to fix your car could lead to more expenses in the future. For instance, failure to repair a dent to your side panel could cause rust to form and eat away at the frame. Failing to fix the car’s brake lines could lead to fluid leaks or frayed lines susceptible to sparking. Take your car to experts like those at Chehalis Collision Center to make sure it gets fixed the right way the first time so you don’t have repair bills adding up over time.

Ask Family or Friends to Move In

Having another person in your home may be helpful if he or she agrees to help share the cost of rent and utilities. Having a friend or family member in your home may also be helpful as he or she may be a good cook or help out with cleaning and home maintenance projects.

Cut Back on Unnecessary Expenses

If you aren’t working, you need to make sure that your savings lasts as long as possible. This could mean cutting out cable TV and not eating out. All of these changes can save hundreds a month without totally depriving you of what you need to live.

Use the Internet to Save on Groceries and Other Common Expenses

The internet is a great place to find coupons, sites selling used goods and sites where people trade or barter goods instead of selling them. This can help you get groceries, tools to help with arts and crafts projects or finding clothes or toys for your kids if you can’t afford to buy them new ones.

No one plans to be in a serious accident. However, if you have been in a wreck, you will need to cut costs and be strict about your budget. Settling debts, asking others to live with you and looking for as many discounts as you can may help you save money without altering your lifestyle too much.

The Top 5 Common Causes for Car Accidents

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/07/11 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

The roadway can be an extremely dangerous place. Each day, more than 3,000 people die as a result of being involved in a car crash. Many of these collisions can actually be avoided by practicing safe driving habits. Here are the top five common causes of car accidents.

Speeding

When traveling at a high rate of speed, your chances of crashing increase dramatically. The best approach is to drive no faster than the posted speed limited. Speeding diminishes your ability to react quickly in emergency situations. In the bat of an eye, an obstacle such as deer could suddenly cross your path. The faster your speed, the longer it will take to come to a complete stop. Speeding also often leads to tailgating as well which also can cause impatience especially for those who are aggressive drivers on the road. If the person in front of you stops quickly there is a very good chance you will be in a car accident that affects you and the people in the vehicle in front of you. This kind of accident puts you at fault and it can result in a serious lawsuit depending on the damages.

Driving While Intoxicated

Driving under the influence of alcohol has long remained one of the most dangerous behaviors. The driver’s blurred vision and decreased awareness put everyone on the road in danger. Unfortunately, hundreds of drunk drivers still choose to get behind the wheel. After having a few drinks at the local bar, some drivers are totally unaware of their elevated blood-alcohol level. Instead of taking an unnecessary risk, spend the extra money on a cab.

Reckless Driving

Some people tend to use driving as a way to release their pent-up aggression. While some drivers are guilty of tailgating, there are others who actually make verbal threats. According to Zaner Harden Law, a law firm that provides car accident representation in Denver, be sure to seek legal council if an angry driver has hit your vehicle. Reckless driving is a serious crime that should never be taken lightly. Having a bad day doesn’t give motorists the right to act irresponsible.

Bad Weather

Not only can bad weather cause the pavement to become extremely slippery, but it can also cause poor visibility. Far too many drivers fail to reduce their speed. From hydroplaning to rear-end collisions, there are various types of accidents that are caused by shaky road conditions. Even all-wheel-drive vehicles perform poorly on icy roads. Because of a lack of good judgment, hundreds of car pileups occur every winter.

Distracted Driving

Driving a vehicle requires more concentration than most people realize. One of today’s biggest driving distractions has become the cell phone. Despite the potential consequences, some people can’t fight off the temptation to text while driving. The few seconds it takes to read your text is not worth the risk while driving. Just keep your eyes on the road and look at your phone after you are safely off the road and parked.

These risky driving behaviors can definitely put your life at risk. Staying safe requires you to make sound decisions on a daily basis.

Bad Accident? 5 Ways to Avoid Pesky Legal Issues

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/27 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Unfortunately, accidents are never planned hence why they are called an accident. Therefore, when they happen numerous things need to be done very quickly. Otherwise, a simple legal situation may become very complex. To keep this from happening, there are five things that accident victims can do to protect themselves and in order to follow the law.

Take Detailed Notes

If a person is involved in an accident, it pays to take detailed notes if possible while still at the scene. Writing down the date, time, names of people involved, what led up to the accident, and more can play a pivotal role if the case goes to court. However, copies of these notes should not be given to police officers at the scene or any insurance company personnel. Instead contact a law firm such as Hammett, Bellin & Oswald LLC and turn the notes over to them for use as potential evidence in the case. With these notes, try and take photos if you can and keep them with the notes that you have already taken.

Call the Police

If an accident involves injuries to others or significant property damage, the police should be contacted as soon as possible. In fact, if more than $1,000 in damages is done to personal property or $200 damage to government property, the law requires that police be called to the scene. The police will then take statement from any and all parties involved in the accident to get an accurate report of what actually happened. This report can be accessed by all parties should any legal or insurance issues arise. Make sure that you do not leave the scene of the accident until you are dismissed by the police officer.

Photos and Videos

Thanks to cell phones, photos and videos can be taken instantaneously at virtually any accident scene. If a case goes to court or is questioned by an insurance company, these key pieces of evidence can turn the case around in a hurry. If possible, take pictures of the damage done to the vehicles, the accident scene itself, and anything else that may be relevant to the case.

Make Sure the Scene is Safe

To ensure no other damage is done or people injured, make the scene as safe as possible. If able, get vehicles moved out of the way of traffic and use flares, blinkers, or other lights to alert others to the accident scene.

Contact an Attorney

In addition to the previous steps, contacting an attorney experienced in accidents and personal injury can be crucial to getting any compensation you may deserve. Accident cases, especially auto accidents, are very complex and usually require an attorney with many years of experience in this area.

By taking these steps when involved in an accident, it may be possible to avoid many legal pitfalls later on. However, it may not be possible if any other party involved decides to pursue legal action. While it’s never guaranteed how any accident will play out in court or with insurance companies, being as prepared as possible will put the odds greatly in your favor.

Preventing Collisions: Tips For Safer Driving Habits

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/18 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

In some states, motor vehicle fatalities have increased this year. Various factors may be to blame, including driving under the influence, poor road conditions, and texting while driving. While you can’t be sure what other drivers will do, the average person behind the wheel can do several things to help prevent collisions.

Don’t Drive Under the Influence of Anything

We all know this is a very bad idea, but some do it anyway. If you’re drinking, taking medicine that makes you sleepy, or feeling very ill, don’t drive anywhere. Wait for a ride or call a taxi. A substantial number of road accidents happen because of driving when people aren’t able to manage a vehicle.

Don’t Get Distracted While Driving

Texting, using a mobile phone, playing with the vehicle’s radio or CD player, and trying to quiet screaming toddlers or arguing adults takes your attention off the road where it should be. Although some distractions can’t be avoided, for example, taking your little ones to preschool, you may want to pull over and calm your child before resuming the drive. Other distractions can and should be minimized.

Don’t Play Games While Driving

This means not to challenge other drivers to race you on the highway or accept a dare from one of your vehicle’s passengers, like outdistance an approaching train. Taking chances and behaving foolishly has led to many serious and some fatal collisions.

Obey Traffic Laws

This seems obvious, but for many it is optional. Traffic laws are implemented to protect drivers and passengers. When rules are broken, accidents are more likely to occur, and it is at that time that contacting a professional like Attorney Trevor M. Quirk is the right move to do. Negligence on your part can lead to costly repair fees and potential jail time. Don’t be the one on the road that others are worried to be around.

Avoid High-traffic Roads or Times

Again, this may not be possible all the time, especially if you drive to and from work at rush hour. But some drivers leave a little early to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns, especially in bad weather. Try to find a less-congested route to your destination if it doesn’t require significantly more time or gas.

Schedule Your Vehicle for Routine Checkups and Maintenance

Most late-model vehicles have indicators to show the oil life remaining. Some indicators will let drivers know air pressure is low. Do not ignore warning lights. It is also a good idea to have your vehicle checked at least once or twice a year to ensure important parts are working properly, including headlights, brakes, and belts.

Tips like these can mean the difference between life and death. Pay attention, drive safely, and keep your vehicle in good working condition.