Car/Auto Accidents and Personal Injury

Car accidents are one of the most common sources of personal injury. Most are minor fender-benders, but a shocking number cause severe injury, permanent disability, and even death. With these traumas often come pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, medical expenses, and property damage - all of which may constitute financial compensation. Sadly, though, many auto accident victims never receive the full amount of damages to which they are entitled to for their car accidents. The major reason is that, because they don't know the full worth of their claims, auto accident victims accept the first offers that insurance companies make - and it's no secret that these insurance companies try to get off cheap. That said, it is crucial to enlist the help of a qualified personal injury lawyer if you are to be fairly compensated.

A personal injury lawyer can:

• Help prove liability by preserving evidence and interviewing witnesses
• Ensure you receive the proper medical care
• Help you understand the law, including statutes of limitations
• Help you document your injuries properly so that you receive full compensation
• Ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled

Further, in cases of malicious intent - such as if a company knowingly markets tires it knows are defective and these tires subsequently cause injuries - auto accident victims may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. A personal injury attorney can help determine which damages you are eligible for and can help you build an effective case.

Will Insurance Cover my Expense Following a Car Accident ?

This depends on the policy you have purchased. Most likely, you have first party coverage, which insures both you and your property, and third party coverage, which covers other people and their property involved in car accidents you cause. Keep in mind, however, that there are many different types of coverage available, and each type offers its own benefits. For example, comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle in the event of fire, theft, vandalism, and acts of nature, while collision coverage covers your vehicle in the event of an auto accident. Your insurance carrier or a personal injury lawyer can help you understand the policies you have and explain what these policies entitle you to.

Regardless of your coverage, your insurance company most certainly requires that you contact one of its representatives immediately following an auto accident. If you don't report an accident to the company in a timely manner, it may try to deny coverage for the accident.

In addition to contacting your insurance company, you should also file a police report if 1) you are injured or 2) if damages to either your vehicle or the other party's exceed a certain amount (be aware that this amount varied from state to state but typically falls between $200 and $500). Also, be sure that any injuries you incurred receive proper follow-up care. A personal injury attorney can inform you of your particular state's laws regarding auto accidents.

No-Fault and At-Fault Laws: How Do These Affect My Case?

Liability laws vary from state to state. About half of all U.S. states have adopted no-fault liability laws, which make everyone involved in a car accident responsible for his own damages. However, most of these states allow exceptions to these laws, namely if a person sustains a serious personal injury or if property damage exceeds a specific amount. The remaining half of states has instated at-fault liability laws, which require the party responsible for the car accident to pay damages for all those involved.

What To Do if You Are in a Car Accident

Before leaving the scene of a car accident - regardless of who is at fault - it is important to collect the following information. Your personal injury lawyer will need this data to help build an effective case:

• Names and addresses of drivers, driver's license numbers
• Names and addresses of passengers
• Names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses
• Names and addresses of registered owners of the vehicles
• Names of insurance companies, policy numbers
• Location of the car accident
• How the car accident occurred
• Whether or not any of the drivers seem to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
• Injuries
• Damages to vehicles
• Names of police officers that responded to the scene
• Whether or not anyone admitted fault (Do NOT admit fault)

Car Accident Statistics

You already know that car accidents needlessly cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. In fact, they are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 6 and 27. But did you know that in 1999:

• There were approximately 6,289,000 reported auto accidents in the U.S.
• About 3,200,000 people were injured in car accidents and 41,345 lost their lives
• 38% of car accident fatalities involved alcohol
• 4,695 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents
• 63% of car accident fatalities were attributed to passengers who were not wearing a seat belt.

To learn more about car accidents, these statistics, and personal injury law, contact a personal injury attorney in your area today.