5 Things To Do Immediately After You Get Into A Car Accident

10 October 2020

A car accident is never expected. When you are a part of a car accident, there are certain things that you need to do to make sure your rights are protected. The very first thing that you would need to do is to stop after getting into an accident. If you are thinking of running away from the accident scene, you are giving away your only way to stick with your rights.

Even if you know that there is no damage taken or given, it is important to stop the car. Then again, don’t apologize right away. This will show that you are taking all the blame upon yourself voluntarily.

If you have a car, that means you have car insurance. In the car insurance policy, it is mentioned that the policy will stand only if you do not take responsibility for the accident. Hence, your apologizing will nullify the car insurance policy.

What To Do At The Scene Of A Car Accident?

You need to be careful while driving so that you do not fall victim to any car accident. However, once you are a part of the car accident, you need to prepare yourself with the question that needs to be answered to claim your car insurance. The best way to claim your car insurance policy will be to hire a Los Angeles car accident lawyer. They are professionals in handling this kind of work.

Here is a checklist that will help you with the things needed to be taken care of after the car accident.

1. Determine The Extent Of Damage Caused By The Accident

When a car accident happens, it is better to stop your car to see the damage’s extent. If possible, do not move your car from the position. Let the police take the things from over here. Doing unnecessary things will only make the car accident more complex.

2. Protect The Scene

A car accident scene can be quite confusing for the third parties and can even give rise to new accidents. So it is better to flare or barricade the accident scene to make people aware of the accident. In the case of a night accident, you need to have a flashlight at your disposal to signal nearby cars about the accident.

3. Contact Police

It doesn’t matter how big or small the accident is or how much damage you have accrued. It is always best to call the police. It is important to have a legal report at your disposal. This report might be helpful while filing a claim for car insurance.

4. Get The Facts About Your Car Accident

This part is one of the most important things that almost every person knows. However, amidst all confusion, they tend to forget. It is important to get the names, addresses, and contact info of every person related to the car accident. You can even add a description of the car and its number.

5. Take Pictures

Today smartphones have become quite common. If possible, you can take pictures of the damage you have accrued in the car accident. You can even take pictures of people involved in the accident, picture of the car, and number plate. However, make sure that you are not interrupting the police investigation.

6. Report The Accident

Report your insurance policy about the car accident. There are insurance policies that prefer immediate reports. So make sure that you can report them back as soon as possible. There are certain medical claims as well that your policy might cover. However, being late with the report might backfire at you and nullify those claims.

7. Seek Medical Attention

Car accidents can sometimes be brutal, so no matter how big or small your wound is, take immediate medical attention. In an accident with minor injuries, you can sustain long term spinal cord injuries. If you have suffered a loss of consciousness for even a couple of seconds, that means you have suffered a concussion. If left untreated, it can leave permanent damage.

Protect Your Rights

Perhaps the most important thing you can do after a car accident is to consult an attorney. Your attorney can protect you from false claims and make sure that the valuable evidence is not destroyed. Your attorney can also help you with your insurance claims and ensure that you get the best medical treatment.

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How Safe are Pedestrians in Georgia?

Georgia is a great place for people who like to walk. Many cities and neighborhoods dedicate their roads to walking communities. Downtown Atlanta has walking paths for residents, employees, visitors, and customers. The Metro Atlanta area is also full of pedestrian-friendly parks. And let’s not forget that the rural parts of the Metro area have abundant hiking trails. All this makes Georgia seem very pedestrian-friendly. Not necessarily. While Georgia may encourage walking, pedestrians are only sometimes safe. How Safe are Pedestrians in Georgia? In 2019, Smart Growth America conducted an urban planning and development study. Atlanta was included in their research, including a portion dedicated to how pedestrian-friendly certain states are. How did Georgia rank? Put together by The Embry Law Firm, let’s look at some statistics: Overall, the state ranked as the 6th most dangerous state for pedestrians. The Metro Atlanta area ranked as the 25th most deadly region for pedestrians. From 2008 to 2017, 1,782 pedestrians were victims of hit and run by cars across the state. That accounts for 1.76 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people (about the seating capacity of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum). The annual average number of pedestrian deaths in Georgia is 184. The national average is 1.55. From 2011 to 2015, pedestrian deaths increased by 58%. 78% of pedestrian injuries and fatalities occurred at “non-intersection” locations. 52% of pedestrian injuries and deaths occurred while the individual was waiting to cross a road. This data means that Georgia—and especially Metro Atlanta—may be friendly to pedestrians, but our state’s drivers are not. Is the State Trying to Protect Pedestrians? Knowing what we do about pedestrian accidents, injuries, and deaths across the state, we must consider whether our state leaders are taking action to reduce those numbers and save lives. The answer is that, yes, state leaders are working on initiatives that could reduce the number of pedestrian accidents and deaths. Georgia has adopted one major initiative called “Vision Zero.” This initiative comes from the idea that traffic fatalities can be reduced to zero through engineering, education, and enforcement (the 3 E’s). Vision Zero holds to the notion that humans make mistakes. Therefore, a road system is required to ensure these mistakes do not lead to severe injuries or death. Numerous countries and cities across the United States have adopted Vision Zero. Many have seen a dramatic improvement in their traffic fatality rates, including pedestrian deaths. One of Vision Zero's goals is to enhance road safety for everyone—drivers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and public transit users. What Can Pedestrians Do to Stay Safe? Pedestrians can do their part in the fight to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents and fatalities each year. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety recommends the following: Always walk on the sidewalk if possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk close to the left side of the street. When walking on the street, facing traffic. Always cross the road at a crosswalk if one is available. Stay in the street and attempt to dash in between traffic. Pedestrians are required to obey traffic signals. Look for signals that say “walk” or “don’t walk.” When walking near the street, wear bright clothing or use reflective gear. Encourage your children not to play in the street, even in quiet neighborhoods. You can’t control the actions of others, but as a pedestrian, you can take measures to keep yourself safe and out of harm’s way. Whether you are commuting to work in Atlantic Station or walking a trail along the Chattahoochee River, walking is a favorite pastime for Georgians. It is important, however, that all of us do our part—whether walking or driving—to protect ourselves and others around us. This is the best way to improve safety for all of Georgia. Just Moving to Georgia (Road Safety Guide) Georgia has reliable hours and an easy position. Therefore, you might end up here for your work purposes. However, when it comes to road safety, you need to be a little more careful with your approach. To begin with, you will have to be wary of road safety measures and how to protect yourself against rash driving. Now, here's a thing that you want to remember, and that's—crossing streets; Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections; if none are available, keep well on the road to be seen. Stand clear of vehicles in case they roll backward. Be Seen: Wear bright or reflective clothing if you are walking or biking in low lighting conditions, especially at night. Make eye contact with drivers in the vehicle waiting for you to cross in front of them. Avoid Distractions: Don’t use your phone or listen to music at a high volume while walking. Be aware of everything and everyone around you. Educate Children: It is not just about your safety, especially if you are relocating your family alongside the job. Teach children to follow road safety precautions while crossing the roads. Plan Safe Routes: Choose well-lit and less busy routes for walking. Know the normal traffic patterns around where you live. Final Note Whether you’re new to Georgia or you’ve lived here for some time, remember that safe walking can sometimes be your responsibility. We have a combination of urban and rural settings in which to enjoy walking, but because of that fact, we must be aware of some simple tips to keep ourselves safe. Yes, appreciate other drivers, but when in doubt, always come back to his rulebook! Read Also: 7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes Denise Hamet Discusses Trends in Creative Transportation Strategies

Tips and Tricks to Hire the Best Lawyer for Your Case

Having the best lawyer to help you with your cause is critical when you need legal aid. Not all lawyers are the same. To have the right legal team fighting for you can mean the difference between getting the right outcome in court and wondering what went wrong. If you're not familiar with the legal system, it can be difficult to know if you've got a lawyer that's up to the task. Here are several tips to hire the best lawyer. Keep reading and learn more here. Here are several tips to hire the best lawyer: Where to Search Besides the internet search, phone book and a friend who might suggest a lawyer, there are many other sources to find a qualified lawyer. Some organizations offer design to their members, as does the AARP. Moreover, military members are often entitled to some representation, as are some people covered by the umbrella and home insurance policies. Ultimately, the AB Association can also assist you to find a suitable lawyer in your state who is licensed. Find a trustworthy Lawyer Now that you know where to find a lawyer, you need to hire an honest one. You can do this by meeting lawyers through free initial consultations. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Use that to your benefit. Use the conference to determine if the lawyer is honest and inevitable. Naturally, some people have the capacity to evaluate the character of an individual within a couple of minutes of communicating with the person; nevertheless, there are some personality characteristics that may also shift you off. Is the prosecutor, for example, searching at you in the sight while relating to you or is he or she staring at the ground? Often, inquire what types of cases they have contested in history. If you are looking for a payout they should be willing to provide you with compensation payments for similar cases to yours. It's essential to feel safe in the knowledge that your lawyer is a trustworthy person before entering into any official relationship. Finding out that the lawyer symbolizing you is damaging your claim because of their dubious credibility would be equally disturbing. Read up on reviews because these are essential. Seek an Experienced Lawyer While having a lawyer that you can trust is essential, it is equally essential that they have great experience in the field of law for which you require their help. For example, you should use an attorney with expertise in property planning to plan your will, a divorce attorney to select divorce papers and a trial attorney to serve you in a criminal matter. General practitioners are ideal for single real estate sales or other non-complex things but their lack of accurate knowledge and expertise in a given field will hurt your case. Consider the Volume of the Lawyer’s Firm Hiring an attorney from a little firm provides advantages. In most cases, you get prompt, personalized attention. Moreover, the lawyer you represent will apparently have a fairly large amount of time to devote to your case. This may not be the place at big firms, where lawyers often have to juggle many cases and may possess a lot of responsibilities towards the firm and its associates that might attract their awareness away from your requirements. Large firms, however, have advantages too. After all, for the cases, they have taken, and their capacity to control decisions, various opposing lawyers and judges cherish and/or fear large respected firms. Generally, big firms also have greater money and labor capacity to study the case and formulate a strategy. Read Also: Keys to Become a Successful Lawyer 5 Ingredients of a Healthy Relationship: Is Your Relationship Healthy?

Can You File A Claim In A Single Car Accident?

Car accidents can be complex and stressful situations, but what happens when you're involved in a single-car accident? Can you file a claim in such cases? The short answer is yes, you can often file a claim in a single-car accident, but the process and outcome will depend on various factors, including the circumstances of the accident, the type of insurance you have, and the applicable laws in your jurisdiction. Here, we want to explore the ins and outs of filing a claim in a single-car accident. Determining Liability The first step in filing a claim for a single-car accident is to determine liability. Liability refers to who is legally responsible for the accident. In a typical two-car accident, liability is usually assigned to one of the drivers involved. In a single-car accident, you are essentially claiming that your own actions or external factors caused the accident. Liability can be established in various ways: Negligence: If you were negligent in your actions, such as speeding, running a red light, or texting while driving, your own negligence may be the cause of the accident. Mechanical Failure: If a mechanical failure in your vehicle, such as brake failure, caused the accident, you may have a claim against the vehicle manufacturer or a maintenance provider in the form of a product liability claim. Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, such as potholes, poorly marked construction zones, or lack of proper signage, can lead to accidents, and you may have a claim against the responsible government agency. Wildlife or Weather: If an animal darted in front of your car, or adverse weather conditions caused the accident, you may have a claim if it can be shown that you reacted reasonably given the circumstances. Insurance Coverage The ability to file a claim for a single-car accident largely depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. There are several types of insurance coverage that may come into play: Liability Insurance: This covers damages and injuries you cause to others. If you were at fault in a single-car accident, your liability insurance may cover damages to others involved or their property. Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage typically includes damages to your vehicle resulting from non-collision events, such as hitting an animal or damage from natural disasters. If your single-car accident was caused by an event covered by your comprehensive insurance, you may be able to file a claim. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage can apply to a single-car accident if the responsible party is uninsured or underinsured or if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Gathering Evidence To strengthen your claim in a single-car accident, it's crucial to gather evidence. This may include: Witness Statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information and statements about what they observed. Police Report: If the police were called to the scene, a police report will be generated. This report can be valuable in documenting the accident and its cause. Photos and Videos: Take pictures and videos of the accident spot, including your vehicle’s damage, the road situation, and any relatable traffic signals or road signs. Maintenance Records: If mechanical failure is a potential cause of the accident, provide maintenance records to show that your vehicle was in good working order. Medical Records: If you sustained injuries, keep records of medical treatment and expenses related to the accident. Filing A Claim Once you’ve determined liability and gathered the necessary evidence, it’s time to file a claim with your insurance agency. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the accident, including the date, time, location, and any relevant circumstances. Your insurance company will investigate the claim and, depending on the circumstances, may approve it. Possible Challenges As mentioned by the Chicago car accident lawyers at Smith LaCien LLP, a claim for a single-car accident can be more challenging than in two-car accidents because there's no other driver's insurance to turn to. You may encounter several challenges: Policy Limitations: Your policy may have limitations on the types of single-car accidents it covers. Read your policy carefully to understand the extent of your coverage. Deductibles: You may have to pay a deductible before your insurance coverage kicks in. Make sure you understand your policy's deductible requirements. Coverage Denial: Insurance companies may deny a claim if they believe the accident was the result of intentional or reckless behavior or if the event is not covered by your policy. Disputes: If your claim is denied or you're unhappy with the insurance company's offer, you may need to engage in negotiations or, in some cases, consider legal action. Legal Considerations If your single-car accident claim is denied, or if you believe you're not being treated fairly by your insurance company, you may need to seek legal counsel. An attorney experienced in personal injury and insurance claims can provide guidance on how to proceed and help you understand your legal rights. Filing a claim in a single-car accident is possible, but the outcome depends on various factors, including liability, insurance coverage, and the circumstances of the accident. If you find yourself in such a situation, it's essential to act promptly, gather evidence, and understand the terms of your insurance policy. Additionally, consider consulting with legal experts to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for any damages or injuries resulting from the accident. Read Also: Why It’s So Important To Hire A Lawyer After A Fatal Car Accident Car Accidents From Hitting Florida’s Wildlife Car Accidents in California- What Does the Law Say?

5 Things To Do Immediately After You Get Into A Car Accident

What To Do At The Scene Of A Car Accident?