All posts tagged auto accident

Slick Road Slip-Ups: Five Fender Bender Dos and Don’ts

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/11 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

A fender bender can put you into a potentially dangerous situation. What seems like something minor could explode into a very serious incident if you aren’t careful. The key to staying safe is knowing what to do. Here are five dos and don’ts when you are involved in a fender bender, especially on slick or icy roads this winter.

Do Contact the Police Immediately

Always contact the police immediately after an accident. Do not try to settle things quietly, or just brush off the accident. You want to call the police, request medical attention if necessary, and file an official report. This helps to protect you and the other driver. It is also a necessary step if you need to file an insurance or personal injury claim later.

Do Not Remain Standing in the Road

The last thing you want to do is stand in the road next to the vehicles, assessing the damage after an accident. Do get out of the road as quickly as you can. There will be plenty of time to look at the damage when the police arrive. Get to a safe place with everyone involved in the accident. This might even mean crossing the street to get to a sidewalk or parking lot.

Do Speak To a Lawyer

You will want to speak to a personal injury lawyer after the accident if you were hurt in any way. A Pocatello Attorney from a firm you trust will make certain your rights are protected. A lawyer will also help to determine whether you have valid damages that can be recovered through filing a personal injury claim. Always contact a lawyer if you were in a car accident.

Do Not Attempt to Drive Your Vehicle

There is no way to tell what parts of your vehicle might have been damaged as the result of a fender bender. You do not want to attempt to drive your vehicle right away. Wait until a tow truck arrives and have the car inspected. If you try to drive away, then damage to the car might cause you to lose control and get into another accident.

Do Document What You Can

Do try to document everything you can. This includes taking pictures or videos of the scene and the damage done. Get the names of witnesses in the area. Get all the contact information from the opposing driver and the license plate of the other cars. This information can be very helpful later.

You need to take action right after a fender bender in order to protect yourself and your rights. Do not assume that a small accident will not have far-reaching consequences in the coming days. Use these five tips to do the right thing after an auto accident.

Image credit: Fender Bender, 101 FWY, on Flickr

Stay Safe On The Road: The Six Most Common Auto Accident Injuries

by Anita Ginsburg on 2015/02/18 in On the Road with Comments Off

In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 2.3 million Americans sustained injuries in car crashes, a figure that was up 6.5 percent from the previous year. The nature of the injuries varied, but there are six kinds of injuries that are most commonly reported.

Head injuries

Many drivers and passengers incur brain injuries, which occur when the head strikes an object with intense force. These types of injuries can be difficult to detect because a victim may not immediately show any signs of injury, but they could still be suffering from swelling or bleeding on the brain.

Neck injuries

People involved in motor vehicle collisions may also sustain neck injuries. These can range in nature from the relatively moderate discomfort that comes with whiplash or neck strain, to the more severe and long term pain associated with disc injuries.

Back injuries

Back injuries often occur as a result of the violent force that drivers and passengers experience when vehicles collide. These injuries can come in the form of strain, sprained, fractured or broken bones in the back, damage to nerves within the spinal column and a host of other problems.

Facial injuries

Facial injuries can occur when vehicle occupants slam into the steering wheel or dashboard, when an airbag deploys, or due to shards of broken glass propelling through the cab of the vehicle. Victims of these injuries can suffer from cuts and scrapes or more serious problems with joints and muscles of the jaw.

Internal injuries

Internal organs like spleen, kidneys or liver are sometimes damaged when a person is involved in an accident. Broken or fractured ribs sustained in a crash can puncture a lung or other organs. All of these injuries are potentially life threatening, so victims must seek immediate medical attention.

Psychological injuries

Car accident victims can suffer lasting emotional problems that stemming from the crash, particularly if it caused a fatality. These problems could be anything from short-term emotional anguish to symptoms akin to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Accidents can be avoided by following traffic laws, addressing mechanical issues as they arise and through regular use of seat belts and child safety seats. Using a little extra caution ahead of time could be enough to avoid being counted among the millions who are hurt in crashes every year. If you suffer injuries in a car accident, be sure to talk to personal injury lawyer to recover your losses.

Informational credit to Cantini Law Group Accident and Disability Lawyers.

What are My Rights after a Car Accident? The Most Important Rights to be Aware of

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/16 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

When you are involved in a car accident, you have important rights that arise then and there at the scene. This is especially the case if you’ve been injured because of another driver’s negligence or your car has been damaged. Although you may be overwhelmed at the time of the accident, it is important to invoke your rights in order to ensure you get what you deserve in the days and weeks after the accident. Read on to learn about the important rights you have following your involvement in a car accident:

Call the Police

Insist on having police come to the scene to investigate the accident. If at all possible, all vehicles should remain where they came to rest after the impact. This will permit the investigating officer to make an accurate accident report, document damage to all vehicles involved, and make their own assessment on liability. A few days after the accident, you can obtain a copy of the accident report at little cost.

Insist on Immediate Medical Care

If you feel pain or discomfort anywhere in your body, ask to be taken to an emergency room or to be examined by paramedics. They will document your complaints of pain at the scene, and emergency room personnel will further document them. This is critical in establishing that you were injured as a direct and proximate result of the accident. Follow all medical recommendations, including seeing your own doctor or a specialist. Delays in treatment only weaken a case. Injury, pain and suffering are documented by medical personnel throughout a person’s course of treatment. If there is anything that feels wrong, don’t wait for it to go away—get checked out immediately in case there are any injuries.

Notify your Insurer

Let your insurer know you were involved in an accident as soon as practical after it happened. Most insurers have strict notice requirements, so try to document when, how and who you gave notice to. Your insurer has a right to investigate an accident and preserve any evidence and interview any witnesses. According to Rod Gregory, an Edmonton DUI lawyer, you have a contractual duty to cooperate with your insurer in the case of an accident, so give them any information you have that they might need.

Don’t Talk to the Other Driver(s)

Whether you’re the victim or the person who caused the accident, refrain from speaking with anybody involved in it. Your statements can only be used against you in the future. You’re under no duty to give the other party’s insurer any type of a statement. If they phone you, give them your attorney’s name and phone number. By allowing a professional to handle the matter, you’ll avoid saying something you’ll regret, or something that could negatively impact your case.

Being in a car accident can be a calamity, particularly if you’ve sustained serious injuries. Always invoke your rights for your future protection, and be sure you aren’t shy about asking for what you need. By getting help from the place, taking care of any bodily injuries, obtaining the right information, and consulting with your insurance agent, you’ll be able to put the distress of the accident behind you, and get what you deserve in the end.

Car Accident? Five Things You Should Do if You Or A Loved One Suffered Serious Injuries

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/12/29 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

After the dust has settled from a serious car accident, a lot of questions can be lingering as well. You might be wondering whether or not your insurance company will cover the accident, or if you’re going to get legal compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained. If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries from a car accident, these are five things you should immediately do.

Take Photos of Your Injuries

From the moment you realize you’ve sustained serious injuries from your car accident, you should begin taking photos of them. It’s harder for to acquire compensation for your physical traumas if the wounds have already healed by the time you’re prepared to get it. Use a camera that takes high resolution photos, and take many of them.

Document as Many Details About the Accident as Possible

Even though it may be hours or even days since the wreck took place, you should document as many details about the accident as you can. Likewise, get a copy of the police report for your own records. If you’ve been seeing a physician to treat your injuries, keep copies of all medical bills and receipts for OTC and prescription medication.

Be Honest with Your Insurance Company

After the wreck, you should contact your auto insurance company as soon as possible to ensure that they’re on the same page. This is the only way that you will receive proper coverage for what’s taken place. Avoid lying about the details of the accident. If you are caught in trying to deceive the insurance company, you could face legal repercussions or even be denied coverage for your claim.

Contact Witnesses

If you can, gather the names and phone numbers of everyone that was present at the scene of your wreck. Record detailed accounts of what they saw, and ask for their signatures on these documents. Witnesses are some of the strongest forms of evidence when plaintiffs present their cases in a court of law.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Lastly, get in contact with a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer. The truth is that you’re going to need professional representation by your side if you wish to receive compensation for the physical injuries you sustained in your car accident. Be sure to check reviews and get local opinions on the lawyer in question before making a decision to work with them.

An auto accident can be stressful and scary, but taking these steps is important to get back on track again. Health and finances are important, and being prepared can help protect both in the event of an accident.

Informational credit to Owen Law Firm.

5 Post-Car-Accident Mistakes that Will Cause You to Lose Out on Money You Deserve

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/01 in Auto Accident with Comments Off

Involvement in a car accident can be very chaotic. The event itself is traumatic, but your actions after the accident may have the most impact on the outcome of your claim for compensation. Although you’ll be a little shaken up immediately following the experience, you’ll need to be prepared to take action (and avoid other actions) in order to keep yourself protected from a law suit or other problems further down the road. Knowing what not to do after an accident occurs is just as important as knowing what to do, so read on to learn about the biggest post-car-accident mistakes that you definitely want to avoid at all costs.

Admitting Any Fault

It is human nature to assume at least partial responsibility for an accident. Never admit any responsibility to the accident to law enforcement or anyone else at the scene of the event. Simply reply that you are not sure what happened or provide information about your reaction to events. Most states have laws governing compensation benefits based on responsibility. Let the attorneys use evidence to determine fault. Obviously, you want to be honest, but most likely you won’t be thinking clearly after the accident because of the adrenaline, so be sure that you don’t reveal too much since you might be confused about what really happened.

Not Seeking Immediate Medical Care

While most auto insurance policies provide you with up to seven days to seek medical care for an accident, most insurers will start to question the conditions after about 12 hours. Many claims are automatically denied because the insurer feels the injury is not related to the event. You should seek medical care immediately, even for minor injuries. If an EMT comes to the scene of the accident, take their advice, especially if they suggest that you go to the hospital. They might be able to see some potential problems, and again, you’ll be full of adrenaline, so you might not feel the full measure of the pain yet. Even if you feel something slightly painful or abnormal, you’ll want to consult a doctor, just in case.

Failing To Hire An Attorney

You should hire an attorney as soon as you can once you sense any trouble after the accident. Many people will not take issue with the accident if it was a mutual mistake, but be prepared for the other party to sue or the insurance company to expect a settlement from you. The insurance company will begin pushing for you to make a settlement or agreement with them as soon as possible. Avoid making any statements or agreements with the insurer prior to speaking to an attorney. Additionally, an attorney will be familiar with all of the benefits you are entitled to because of the accident. Many times the insurance company “forgets” to disclose these benefits. With an attorney on your side, you’re more likely to get what you deserve, and get it in proper time. If you wait until months after all of the events have transpired, it will be much more difficult to get what you want at that point.

Not Following Medical Care Instructions

It is very important that you follow all medical care instructions and keep all appointments. Missed appointments or refusal of treatments is seen by the insurance company as a sign that you no longer need medical care. If you are not happy with the medical care you are receiving, speak to your attorney about having a second opinion conducted. The worst thing you can do is ignore a doctor’s recommendations or orders. As mentioned, you can switch doctors if you don’t agree with their treatment style or recommendations, but ignoring medical care instructions could disqualify you for coverage later down the road which could be a huge problem if your condition caused by the accident worsens.

Posting Too Much Information

You should refrain from posting too much information on your social sites about the accident. Keep any information you post as basic. Never admit fault on your pages and never disclose the legal issues you have discussed with your attorney. The insurance company will be monitoring your site, and postings on your social media sites could be used as evidence against you if you aren’t careful. Be careful with emails and electronic communications as well since these can often be obtained and used against you. Just as you don’t want to admit fault at the scene of the accident, you don’t want to say too much about your involvement in the accident—even if you’re just posting on the internet.

By understanding these five mistakes, you can avoid problems with your compensation claim and receive the full amount you deserve for your losses. As mentioned, you’ll likely be frazzled and overwhelmed immediately following the accident so be careful that you don’t make a mistake just because you are confused or shaken up. If you know the best steps to take before an accident ever occurs, then you’ll know exactly what to do when that unfortunate time comes.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Dixie got her advice for this article from the legal professionals at the Law Offices of Stanley Pasternak who practice law in Toronto.