Hello, I'm Karla Mitchell. Going through a legal case can be very expensive and challenging. I won't go into details, but I recently underwent my own legal battle that lasted several years. It is finally over and I successfully received a settlement, but I had to spend so much time studying law in order to play my role in my own court case. While I found a great attorney at one point, I felt completely lost initially and I don't want anyone else to experience the same thing. So I decided to create this blog for those who would like to know more about law.
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Over two million people are injured in car accidents in the United States each and every year. If an injury happens to you, then it is in your best interest to meet with a car accident attorney to make sure medical bills and lost wages are covered by your insurance company. Even if an injury is not involved, you still may need the assistance of an attorney. This is especially true if you make a mistake after a traffic accident. Mistakes are common and they can cost you time and money, so consider the ones listed below and try to avoid them.
Mistake #1 - Leaving the Scene of an Accident
If you and your vehicle are involved in a minor fender bender or an incident where no noticeable vehicle damage is noted, then you may consider leaving the scene of the accident. This also may be true if damage has occurred to your car alone. This is a big mistake though, because you may be breaking the law if you do not stop and speak to the other driver involved in the accident.
Some states require you to stop immediately after an accident, regardless of damage, or you may be charged with a misdemeanor. The charges can result in the suspension of your license and fines. Other states require you to stop only if property damage or injuries occur. If the other driver is injured, then you legally are required to offer reasonable assistance by transporting the driver to the hospital or by calling an ambulance. If you do not offer this assistance, you may be charged with a felony and you will be asked to pay hefty fines.
What Should You Do?
Make sure to understand the accident laws in your state and also stop after every accident. It is not always apparent whether or not property damage or injuries have occurred and it is wise to err on the side of caution and stay on the right side of the law.
When you stop, ask the other driver about potential injuries. If the driver is confused, bleeding, or under distress, then call an ambulance immediately. Do not move the driver if you do not have a medical background. This can lead to serious spinal or back injuries and you may be sued in the future for these injuries.You should only move and transport the injured individual if medical attention cannot be supplied at the scene of an accident for some reason or if the individual is in grave danger.
Mistake #2 - Skipping the Police Report
When you stop your vehicle after an accident, then you may conclude that damage to your car is minimal. If the other driver feels the same way and no injuries have occurred, then you may decide to exchange insurance information without calling the police. This way, the insurance companies can handle the details of the vehicle repairs after the accident.
It may seem friendly to skip the call to the local police department, but this is a bad idea. About 14% of drivers are uninsured, and this can leave you with a large repair bill that you need to pay on your own. Also, the other driver may decide to file an independent police report that may place the full blame of the accident on you. This report can be used against you later on by your insurance company.
What Should You Do?
Call the police immediately after an accident, once you are sure that the other driver has not sustained major injuries. Supply the officer with your own details of the accident and allow the other driver to do the same. Make sure that witness statements are taken if other people in the area saw the collision. Record the police officer's name and badge number as well. This will allow you to easily gather the accident report so your attorney or insurance company can read over the document.
If you are involved in a car accident, then you need to make sure that you do the right things afterwards. Otherwise, you may find yourself in trouble with the law or you may have trouble receiving funds from your insurance company.
Visit http://www.lvaccident.com to learn more.
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