The United States alone registers 6+ million auto accidents per year. These figures are worrying. Plus, these accidents can lead to injuries or car damage. Still more, handling car accident lawsuits isn’t that easy. It involves a lot of legal issues. From evidence gathering to litigating your case, there are a lot of steps when it comes to cart accidents. That’s why you should get the process right. In particular, you should know how to conduct yourself after a car accident. Remember, simple mistakes can cost you dearly. Fortunately, this guide will help you understand how to conduct yourself after an auto accident.
Never Run. Just Stop
Don’t run away. Even if it’s a minor accident, don’t be tempted to drive away. Just stay there until the police arrive. Pines & Goldenzweig, PLLC, an experienced accident lawyer, advises you to stop and remain calm. Cooperate with the police.
Guard the Scene
Keep your flares on. Setting up flares can go a long way in keeping you safe as you wait for your car to be fixed. And this is particularly important if the accident happened at night and you’re stranded by the roadside.
Inform the Police
Contact the police immediately. Even if no one was injured, it’s always wise to contact the police. If you decide to file a claim with your insurer, you’ll need to produce a police report. It’s also important to note that the cars involved in the road accident should remain where they’re, as long as they don’t interfere with traffic.
Accurate Records
Once the police arrive, be sure to tell them exactly what happened. If there are things you aren’t aware of, let the officers know. Don’t speculate or guess any of the facts. The pain caused by motor vehicle accidents usually becomes apparent several hours after the collision. So, don’t be quick to provide specific information about the severity of your injuries. You should also check if the statements made by other people involved in the car accident are accurate.
Take More Pictures
If possible, take pictures of the damaged vehicles. If you sustained any visible injuries, then be sure to photograph them. But this doesn’t mean that you interfere with the police investigations. Nonetheless, if you can’t take the photos at the scene, consider taking them immediately after the accident.
Exchange Info
The investigating officers are often responsible for collecting this type of information. Nonetheless, if they fail to respond promptly, go ahead and obtain the other driver’s name, address, and phone number. You should also consider obtaining information about the other party’s insurance. And there are any witnesses around, be sure to collect their details. However, if you can’t handle all these by yourself seek the help of a professional attorney.
Report It
Don’t hesitate to contact your insurer. Most policies require instant reporting, as well as, your full cooperation. Understand the type of insurance you possess. Read the terms and conditions. Ensure that your insurance policy is up to date. Have all the medical reports. Reporting the accident immediately eliminates unnecessary delays when it comes to processing your compensation.
Go to Hospital
Of course, the injuries may be minor. However, this doesn’t mean not seeking medical attention. Remember, internal injuries may not be apparent or visible. Thus, it’s important to seek medical attention. Your doctor will carry out the necessary scans to ensure that you are ok. Things like internal bleeding can be fats. A medical expert can spot these internal injuries. Plus, medical reports will be used as evidence in court. Thus, keep all the medical bills. Document all the medicines you took.
File the Records
Record keeping is an important aspect of your personal injury case. Thus, consider keeping all the records of your case. From the claim number to the contact details of the rental car, keeping all the records gives you complete control over your case. Thus, file all the receipts, names of an insurance adjuster, contact details of the defendant, and any expense incurred. You might consider specific options if you had an accident in California.
Know Your Rights
Don’t allow anybody to violate your rights. Protect them. Understand all your rights. The best person to protect your rights is your personal lawyer. Thus, choose a lawyer you can trust. Safeguard the evidence. Remember, your rights can be violated in a number of ways. From evidence destruction to undue influence, there are various ways your rights can be violated. Inform your lawyer about things you aren’t sure of. For instance, don’t give information to your insurance company without the presence of your lawyer. Never admit liability. Don’t give statements at the scene of the accident. Just remain silent. Let your lawyer handle every legal aspect of your case.
The Steps You Should Take
Were you just involved in an accident? Well, there are a number of steps you need to take to protect yourself. There are several things you can do to avoid car accidents. But if one accidentally happens, you must undertake the right steps.
Never run away: the first thing you need to do is to stop. It’s your legal duty to remain at the accident scene until the police arrive. Even if the accident was minor, you need to stop your vehicle.
No Admitting fault: Never should you accept that you were at fault. It’s your insurance company’s responsibility to investigate the incident and determine if you were at fault. You shouldn’t assume liability under any circumstances. Don’t disclose important information to the insurance adjuster.
Gather evidence: Another thing you’ll want to do is to collect enough evidence. Common injuries in semi-trailer truck collision cases require storing evidence e. So, take photos of your injuries, as well as, the accident scene. This can be extremely helpful when it comes to filing a personal injury claim.
Car Damages and Injuries
Check if anyone was injured. If so, contact your emergency medical doctor. If possible, remain where you’re. Don’t try to move as this could cause a major traffic issue. Wait until the police arrive before moving cars.
Get in Touch with the Police
Even if it’s a minor accident, consider contacting the police. It’s always imperative to make sure that you have an accident report. Of course, the police might not always show up. But in case they do, be sure to fill out the police report.
Understand the Prices of Filing the Claim
Your personal injury attorney will help you understand how to file a successful claim. If your insurance agent has an app, they might also help you kick-start the claims process.
Your job is to collect important facts about the incident. If the other party’s insurer tries to compel you to admit fault, simply collect their details and desist from admitting liability. These details can help you compile a comprehensive report about the accident. Remember, it’s your legal responsibility to report a car accident.
How to Avoid Commercial Truck Related Accidents
Commercial trucks are an essential component of the economy. That’s why they can be spotted in various parts of the country. Thus, it’s important for motorists to drive cautiously while near these types of vehicles. Whereas all car accidents can be potentially dangerous, collisions with commercial trucks are usually fatal and more severe than road accidents involving two passenger cars. Here are simple tips to help you avoid such a catastrophic situation.
Don’t Drive On Blind Spots
Commercial trucks typically have huge blind spots. So, it’s imperative to move as quickly as possible when passing them. Being on the truck’s passenger side can be extremely dangerous. This side’s blind spot is relatively larger than the driver’s side blind spot.
When driving close to a truck, always move on the driver’s side. Plus, you should avoid passing next to a commercial truck.
Consider Switching Lanes with Care
Be very careful when passing a commercial truck. And avoid switching lanes recklessly. Keep some distance from the truck. Remember, trucks don’t stop quickly. So, if you drive so close to them, they might easily cause an accident.
Drive Carefully During Poor Weather
Snow and ice can be extremely hazardous. Truck drivers are often advised to drive slowly when visibility is low. As compared to smaller vehicles, tractor-trailers feature complex designs and are more difficult to handle. And the difficulty to maneuver usually increases with bad weather.
Under such weather conditions, trucks can easily hit icy patches. Plus, high winds could spin out and when this happens, the truck driver could lose control of the vehicle, hence causing a serious collision.
Embrace Patience
As a motorist, you need to be calm and patient. Road rage driving isn’t the solution. Remember, trucks are outfitted with speed caps that could prevent them from moving swiftly. Always bear in mind that it isn’t the truck driver’s intention to slow you down- they’re simply trying to drive safely and protect other people’s lives. So, be patient. If you’re stuck in traffic, simply take a deep breath and you’ll be good to go. Being patient can go a long way in preventing unnecessary collisions.
How to Act After A Truck Accident
Truck accidents have become increasingly rampant nowadays. So, no matter how carefully you drive, you might still get involved in such a collision. Most of these accidents are usually caused by human error. When you accidentally get injured in these types of road accidents, you may be entitled to compensation. But you’ll need to hire a specialized attorney to file the claim and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Tips for Avoiding Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents are common on most roadways. But the good news is that there are several things that can be done to avoid them. Here are practical tips to help minimize your chances of getting involved in a truck accident.
Know the Blind Spots
Drivers can avoid getting into truck accidents if they understand the truck’s blind spots. Semi-truck blind spots are typically expansive. So, if you want to stay on the safe side, make sure that you understand its dynamics. This is absolutely necessary for your safety.
Don’t Accelerate When a Semi Wants to Switch Lanes
If you notice that the semi-truck driver wants to switch to a different lane, avoid accelerating your car. Don’t be tempted to increase your car speeds in order to pass the truck. Remember, the truck driver might not clearly see approaching vehicles due to the large blind spots. In case he tries to move over, a serious collision might occur. The best way to avoid such incidents is to yield to lane-changing semi-trucks.
Be Careful with Semis with Limited Braking Power
Commercial trucks have limited braking power. They can’t stop as quickly as smaller cars. So, avoid pulling in front of them and then holding your car brakes instantly. Maintain a distance of about two car lengths to avoid causing a needless accident. When driving close to a truck, avoid slamming the brakes anyhow.
Avoid Traveling with Truck Axels
As a driver, it’s always imperative to avoid driving on the truck’s axels. Commercial trucks are vulnerable to tire bursts. Because of their immense weight, they tend to experience blowing tires more often. A blown truck tire is heavy and can easily cause damage to vehicles nearby. To avoid needless accidents, avoid traveling close to a truck’s axle points.
Be Careful When Driving in Windy Conditions
As opposed to smaller cars, semi-trucks feature varied weight distributions. During windy days, they can be easily pushed over. Thus, it’s always crucial to give them some space in order to avoid hazardous collisions.
Get Help
If you accidentally get hit by a semi-truck, be sure to get medical help. You may also want to consider hiring a professional attorney to file a personal injury claim on your behalf. It’s important to note that your personal injury attorney can recommend medical attention. He/she has several options in mind. So, don’t hesitate to ask him/her about these options.
The Bottom-Line
The success of your personal injury case begins immediately at the scene accident. Simple details can cost your case. That’s why you should understand what to do at the scene of the accident. Use the above guide and strengthen your car accident case.