Have you been hurt in a car wreck that wasn’t your doing? If so, you might be wondering what steps to take next. This blog article will cover driver carelessness and car accident claims. It’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this topic, like: What is driver negligence? What are the repercussions of driver negligence? And if you’re injured because of somebody else’s driving—what can you do? Read on to find out more!
What is driver negligence?
There are many ways that a driver can be negligent. But, generally speaking, driver negligence occurs when a person behind the wheel fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonable and prudent driver would under the same or similar circumstances. Essentially, this means that if a driver does something (or doesn’t do something) that a reasonably careful driver would not do in the same situation, they may be considered negligent.
Some common examples of driver negligence include:
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Making an illegal turn
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Texting while driving
- Failing to use a turn signal
What are the repercussions of driver negligence?
If a driver is found to be negligent, they may be held liable for any resulting damages. This means that if you were injured in an accident caused by somebody else’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your losses.
On the other hand, if you were found to be negligent in an accident, you may be required to pay damages to the other involved parties. Also, your insurance rates may increase, and you may even lose your driving privileges.
What can you do if you’re injured because of somebody else’s driving?
If you’ve been hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn more about your legal rights and options, we encourage you to contact a personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney can review your case and help you understand your best course of action. Namely, this Washington car accident lawyer says that filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit may be the best way to recover the compensation you deserve. If you’re not sure whether or not you have a case, a free consultation with an attorney can help you determine your next steps.
Gather evidence
After a car wreck, it’s important to gather as much evidence as possible. This may include taking photos of the accident scene, getting the contact information of any witnesses, and saving any relevant medical documentation. Also, be sure to file a police report as this can be used as valuable evidence in your case. This is just a brief overview of some of the evidence that may be available in your particular case. When in doubt, an experienced attorney can help you determine what evidence may be most important in your situation. Sometimes, evidence that seems unimportant at first can turn out to be critical later on.
Get medical attention
If you were injured in an accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Getting injuries checked out by a medical professional, even if they seem minor, is always the best course of action. This is because some injuries may not present symptoms immediately after an accident. For example, you may not realize that you have a concussion until a few days later.
Additionally, getting prompt medical treatment will document your injuries and help to strengthen your personal injury claim. This is because insurance companies often try to downplay the severity of an injury by claiming that it was pre-existing or that it wasn’t serious enough to warrant prompt medical attention. So, if you wait to seek treatment, the insurance company may use this against you.
Contact a personal injury attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by somebody else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn more about your legal rights and options, we encourage you to contact a personal injury attorney.
An experienced attorney can review your case and help you understand your best course of action. Namely, this Washington car accident lawyer says that filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit may be the best way to recover the compensation you deserve. The lawyer can also deal with the insurance company on your behalf, negotiate a settlement, and represent you in court if necessary.
Insurance claims vs. personal injury lawsuits
There are two primary ways to recover compensation after being injured in a car accident: through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Filing an insurance claim is usually the first step after an accident. You or your attorney will submit a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company outlining your injuries and losses. The insurance company will then respond with a settlement offer. If you’re unable to reach an agreement with the insurance company, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit.
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal proceeding where the injured party sues the at-fault driver for damages. This process can be lengthy and complex, which is why it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side.
How to choose the right attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to choose the right attorney to handle your case. You should look for an attorney who has experience handling similar cases and who you feel comfortable working with. Additionally, be sure to ask about the attorney’s fees upfront so that you’re not surprised later on. This is just a brief overview of some of the factors to consider when choosing an attorney. When in doubt, we encourage you to contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn more about your legal rights and options, we encourage you to contact a personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney can review your case and help you understand your best course of action. So don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’ve been injured in an accident.