At some point in a person’s life, they will most likely be involved in some sort of car accident, truck accident or motorcycle accident. Although we all hope that the accident we are in will be nothing more than a slight dent in our bumper, sometimes life can take a turn for the worst and leave us in an unplanned devastating situation. After an accident, there are certain stages to a personal injury claim. Many motorcyclists and drivers seemingly find themselves in situations where they are in a constant battle with the responsible party and the courts to receive compensation for their injuries and property damage.
In these types of situations, it is crucial that all drivers, passengers and motorcyclists are aware of all their rights and responsibilities so they are able to protect themselves while fighting in court. Not being aware of these types of things could potentially cause you to lose the case with no compensation for your medical bills and damage done to your vehicle. This is why it is crucial to reach out for help from a Phoenix car accident lawyer as they can inform you of all your rights and responsibilities.
Try to Remain Calm After an Accident
One of the most important things you can remember to do during an accident is to remain calm. Normally drivers are amped up from adrenaline after the impact and turn the situation into a yelling match and possibly a physical confrontation. This is what can make your case take a turn for the worst.
If it is possible, you should always make sure that the vehicles involved are moved out of the way of traffic. If injuries are apparent, it is crucial to contact an ambulance right away in case there is severe trauma. Although you are not obligated to contact law enforcement, it is always in your best interest to do so, especially if there has been a confrontation. Not only will it help eliminated arguments, but the report will also be very valuable to your case.
Photograph the Scene – Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words (and dollars!)
In an accident, one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself takes photographs of the scene. Although photographs can become invaluable if the insurance company denies the claim or if the case is taken to a civil trial, it is still ideal that you take multiple photographs of the scene of the accident. Doing so could potentially lead you to win the case by having proof of the property damage of your vehicle and why the responsible party is at fault.
Pictures that you take should consist of skid marks, the location of the accident, your injuries, and any posted signs close to where the accident occurred. Although you can wait to take photographs, it is better to take them immediately after the accident as it could potentially provide you with unique evidence as the responsible party will sometimes try and tamper with the scene to provide them with some type of innocence. If the accident has left you unable to move due to your injuries, it is important to contact a friend or family member close by to come and take photographs on your behalf.
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Seeking Medical Attention is Very Important
Many unusual things can happen to a person’s body when they are involved in a collision with another vehicle. A number of people while undergoing a surge of adrenaline, which often means that they will be unaware of the extent of their injuries related to the accident. This will often cause the injured party to not seek medical attention right away.
Not seeking immediate medical attention after an accident could easily result in long-term damage, even if you were the passenger in an accident. Not only can it damage their body, but it can also greatly affect their personal injury case. As all injuries and treatments need to be documented after an accident to create a solid case, it is very crucial to seek out medical help right after an accident so you have all the proper documentation you need to present to your attorney. Without this documentation, you will have no proof that you sustained any injuries related to the accident.
Contacting Your Insurance Provider
As every insurance provider is different in their own way, a large portion of policies states that once an accident occurs, the driver needs to contact their insurance agent within the first 48 hours of the accident happening. Before contacting your insurance provider, there are a few things you must remember. One of the first things being that if the accident was severe, you should only provide them with basic information on what took place before and after the accident.
Although you may believe that your insurance provider is only on your side, at the end of the day, they are a for-profit company. This means that may try and pay little to no money at all which will leave you without help to pay your medical bills. To get guidance on speaking to your insurance provider, you should always contact an attorney to discuss the case with them and what you should and shouldn’t say to the provider. By avoiding help from a legal representative, you will basically be settling for less and will wind up with a pile of medical bills that will be left unpaid from giving out to much or to little information to your insurance provider.
Nationwide Auto Accident Statistics
- There are over 40,000 fatal car accidents each year in the United States.
- Car accidents in the United States cost $230.6 billion dollars which is an average of around $820 per person in the US.
- Each day, at least 90 Americans die in a car accident.
- Over 10 million car crashes go unreported every year.
- Every year over 1,600 children are killed in car accidents.
- There are over 3,000 million whiplash cases a year that are caused by car accidents.
- Young adults account for over half of all traffic deaths.
- 66% of all traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving.
- Tailgating causes well over 1/3 of most car accidents.
- In the year 2018, there were a total of 36,750 deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.
- 22% of crashes each year are due to weather conditions.
- Most fatal car accidents that happen take place on weekends.
- Crash rates are the highest during a persons first year of driving.
- Every year, at least 2 million drivers suffer from a permanent injury in a car accident.
Contact an Accident Attorney at Hutzler Law
After a car, motorcycle or truck accident occurs, most people make the mistake of accepting a quick payout from an insurance company without taking the time to realize how much compensation they really deserve. Doing this will only leave your bills piled high and your property damage unpaid. Before settling for less than what you truly deserve on a compensation amount, it is important that you reach out to an attorney for guidance with your case so you are not being left with little to no compensation for your injuries and property damage. Once you settle with the responsible party’s insurance company, there is no going back and you will be left with whatever’s given and no other options.
If your case has been upgraded to a criminal case in court, it is very necessary that you reach out to a personal injury attorney for help. Hiring a legal representative will allow you to build a solid case that will protect your finances and record, as well as get you the compensation you need for your injuries and property damage. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, reach out to an attorney at Hutzler law to receive a free consultation on your case. All you have to do is call (602) 730-4530 or go online to fill out our Online Contact Form.
Jason Hutzler
Jason Hutzler is the founding partner of Phoenix personal injury law firm Hutzler Law, and represents individuals throughout Arizona. His practice is primarily dedicated to personal injury and car accident claims, leveraging his deep expertise as a former insurance adjustor to navigate the complexities of insurance negotiations.