Automobile and Traffic Accidents
Car accidents can be one of the most shocking and traumatizing events in your life. They may also result in prolonged, severe harm or disability. Adding additional pressure and frustration, auto insurance companies tend to become aggressive in their efforts to try to get you to resolve your claim as quickly as possible. Oftentimes, this is before you even know the full extent of your legal rights. This difficult situation often creates a need for a skilled and experienced car accident attorney to help you navigate this challenging and complex maze.
What should I do if I am involved in a car accident?
- Contact the police from the scene of the accident, especially if you think you and/or a loved one may be injured, and request that they prepare a police report.
- Obtain the names of witnesses, their addresses, and telephone numbers.
- Obtain medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Importantly, make sure to seek a comprehensive medical assessment and get a proper diagnosis.
- If possible, take photos of all vehicles involved and the location where the accident took place.
- Take photos of any injuries you and/or a loved one has sustained.
- Contact a qualified personal injury attorney who handles car accident cases and/or injury accidents that were caused by a motor vehicle (i.e. if you or a loved one were a pedestrian and hit by a car).
What actions should I avoid if I am involved in a car accident?
- Do not provide a statement to an insurance company (even your own) until you have spoken with an attorney and understand your rights.
- Avoid acknowledging responsibility or wrongdoing to anyone at the scene of the collision, to a doctor, or to any insurance adjuster (even your own) until you have spoken with an attorney and understand your rights.
- Avoid making assumptions about your conduct or speculating about your conduct prior to the collision when interacting with law enforcement following the collision.
- Do not refuse an ambulance at the scene of the collision or otherwise delay seeking medical treatment.
What compensation would be available to me if I was injured in a car accident that I did not cause?
The following are some of the types of compensation that may be available to you if you were injured by a car and a third party was responsible for your injuries:
- Medical costs paid by insurance, paid by you, or owed by you;
- Future medical costs;
- Past and future pain and suffering;
- Past and future emotional distress;
- Past and future inconvenience associated with your injuries; and
- Past and future lost wages and/or earning capacity.
How will I know that I should reach out to a car accident attorney?
- If you suffered significant injuries necessitating substantial medical treatments, hospitalizations, and/or disabling effects impacting your ability to work; AND
- If you believe that a third party was responsible for the accident.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit against the party who caused my injuries?
Typically, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit against the party who caused your injuries. However, if you were injured by a vehicle owned by a governmental entity or if a governmental entity could be responsible for your injuries, you have six months from the date of the incident to file a Government Tort Claim. It is extremely important that you contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you can following the incident so that you do not miss any deadlines that may prevent you from receiving compensation for your injuries.