Road traffic crashes are a reality in our societies, with millions of users at the mercy of crashes yearly. A car accident, therefore, brings so much harm not only to the persons affected but also to their families and our societies. It is important to recognize why car accidents happen and learn what they must do in the event you are involved in one to minimize the harm they caused and assert your rights.
What Causes Car Accidents?
There are many causes of car accidents, and a number of these causes may occur simultaneously. This knowledge can help us become better drivers and perhaps avoid those causes of accidents in the future.
Distracted Driving:
Driving while distracted is one of the known causes of a car accident, and texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions.
Speeding:
Another cause of car accidents is what we have regarded as reckless driving, including speeding. Aggressive driving entails consistent high speeding, reducing the response time a driver has to control or alter their speed if they realize existing changes in traffic or the road.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
DUI is a decision that costs the lives of many people, and those who are involved in taking drugs or alcohol should not be allowed to operate the cars. Drunk drivers are more likely to have a crash because their reactions are slow, their judgment is questionable, and their dexterity is compromised.
Reckless Driving:
Some risky behaviors associated with reckless driving are tailgating, switching between lanes without a warrant, and jumping red lights. These actions create situations that may lead to collisions. Hence, doing so puts the road user at risk.
Fatigued Driving:
Drowsy driving is as fatal as intoxicated driving. They become very busy, making them lag behind regarding issues such as fatigue, attentiveness, and decision-making.
Ignoring Traffic Laws:
Failing a signal light, not giving way, and negligence in using seat belts all pose a large danger to the risk of an accident. Failure to heed these laws puts your life at risk, as well as everyone else’s lives on the road.
Vehicle Malfunctions:
Accidents can happen when cars fail to work correctly; brakes fail, tires burst, and the steering may also fail. Most of these problems can be averted by performing routine service and checks on the equipment.
What to Do Right After the Car Accident?
Among many moments, the ones right after a car accident are the most important. Foreseeing this can always go a long way in ensuring the safety of one’s life and the lives of others, besides protecting the rights we have been granted.
Check for Injuries:
The first intervention after the occurrence of an accident is to learn whether or not there are injuries. Anyone who gets injured should seek medical attention from an appropriate medical facility as soon as possible.
Move to Safety:
If you experience a car accident, it is best to park your car out of the traffic if it is safe. Switch on the hazard warning lights to make other drivers aware of the situation and for safety measures.
Call the Police:
In most circumstances, it is required to report the accident to the police, even if it seems minor. They will write a formal report, which is often important, especially if you file a case of an accident with an insurance company or the law.
Exchange Information:
If the police are not needed, then proceed to swap your name, address, phone number, insurance details, and license plate number with the other driver. Also, get the details of any witnesses to the scene and take their contact details.
Document the Scene:
Capture pictures of the incident scene, the automobile damages, and any signs of injury. It is most useful as evidence to bring forward liability issues and estimate losses paid as damages.
Do Not Admit Fault:
Do not accept blame for the accident, and do not say sorry even if you were to blame for the accident or participated in causing the same. These statements can later on be used against you.
Seek Medical Attention:
This is particularly important even when you have no discomfort or pain after an accident. Some injuries are concealed, and the situation worsens if treatment is not sought.
Notify Your Insurance Company:
Reporting the accident to your insurance company should be done immediately after the incident. Make sure you tell the truth about what happened but do not give any extra information.
Compensatory and Incidental Damages in Automotive Accident Litigations
If you have been involved in an auto accident due to the reckless actions of another individual, you may qualify to be compensated for your loss. Deferral repayment is the money that you lost in the course of the accident.
Economic Damages:
These include physical and direct costs, which can be easily determined and thus included in the computation. They include:
- Medical Expenses: These may be the cost of hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, and any medical care you or your loved one may require attributable to the accident.
- Lost Wages: If the injuries keep you off your job, you would want to ask for compensation for any earnings you lost while healing.
- Property Damage: This is the cost you incur in fixing or replacing your car and any property that may have been inside your car.
- Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: This can include any extra expenses arising out of the accident, for instance, costs incurred on means of transport to and from medical appointments or even modification costs of your home in relation to your injuries.
Non-Economic Damages:
These are relatively more general and can be rated qualitatively rather than quantitatively. They include:
- Pain and Suffering: This includes any injuries you suffered both to your body and soul because of the accident.
- Emotional Distress: These offer distress, anxiety, and depression that interfere with human’s physical and social functioning in general life.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Some of the losses you may face following an accident may include loss of ability to engage in activities you previously liked, leading to dissatisfaction in life.
- Loss of Consortium: This kind of loss is intended to make the injured person’s spouse whole as the accident removes the loved one, physical affection, and friendship.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
Using a reputable Virginia car accident lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in many ways, including:
Investigation:
An experienced car accident attorney will comb through your case, gather all necessary evidence, review any statements provided by witnesses, and compile all relevant papers to ensure that your side of the story is well founded.
Communication:
Negotiating with the insurance company and the other party’s lawyer is stressful and confusing. An attorney will communicate with the agency to ensure you get a fair shake for an opportunity.
Negotiation:
An experienced lawyer will do everything it takes to ensure that a fair settlement is reached on your behalf, as they will know the law and your case strengths.
Litigation:
If other ways of reaching a fair agreement do not work, your lawyer will be ready to go to trial and argue your case before a judge and a jury.
Maximizing Compensation:
An experienced lawyer will act to bring the highest compensation possible by supporting the argument to get reasonable value for all types of losses, irrespective of their obviousness in some cases.
Peace of Mind:
Getting legal help is as convenient as having someone to help you navigate a difficult time. This way, you can focus on your rehabilitation processes because you are sure that a lawyer is dealing with legal issues.
How to Select a Car Accident Lawyer
If you decide to involve an attorney, getting a good attorney for your case is crucial. Here are some tips:
Experience:
Choose a lawyer who specializes in car accidents since they will know what they are doing to be able to help you.
Reputation:
Check the lawyer’s track record and see what other people have said about the lawyer in matters related to the case or in similar cases.
Results:
Specifically, you should ask the lawyer for statistical details of their previous cases and the performance of this lawyer in similar cases to determine their effectiveness in handling this type of case.
Communication:
There should always be a good rapport between the lawyer and their client. Go for a lawyer who listens to you, informs you of your case, and is clear in their communication.
Fees:
This involves the agreement on the lawyer’s charges and schedule for payment and other expenses in relation to the case.
Personality:
Another tip about finding a lawyer is to always go with their gut. You must relax with your lawyer or attorney and know he can represent you well.
Conclusion
Road accidents are a difficult and stressful event. Finding a competent auto accident attorney can give you comfort and a better opportunity to get justice and adequate compensation for your losses. If you choose the right lawyer and prepare for the process, you can focus on getting better while your lawyer takes care of your legal matters efficiently.
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