Accidents Questions and Answers
I was just in a car accident and don’t know what to do.
If I don’t feel injured after an automobile accident, should I see a doctor?
What issues will I face in making a claim for my injuries sustained in an auto accident?
Why do I need a lawyer if it was just a minor car accident?
In what ways are truck accidents different from car accidents?
What are the dangers associated with large trucks on the roadways?
What are the primary causes of truck accidents in the U.S.?
How many truck accidents can be attributed to alcohol and/or drug use?
What should I do if I’m in a collision with a tractor-trailer?
I was just in a car accident and don’t know what to do.
If you have been involved in a car accident you should first remain calm, then call for help. If no one is injured, your first call should be to the police. Although it is best to remove the crashed vehicles out of traffic, wait for the police to advise you. The police will also take statements from the drivers and passengers involved.
Other important things to do:
- File an accident report with your insurance company. Also, you should notify the other driver’s insurer of the accident.
- Take notes. Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone at the scene, especially witnesses.
- Be careful what you say. Don’t make any remarks or statements about who is at fault. If an insurance adjuster shows up at the scene, do not give any statements and do not sign anything.
- Call an attorney. It is essential that you get someone to represent you right away. If you’ve been injured, you will want a skilled accident attorney to make sure you receive a fair settlement from the insurance company. Also, proving to another driver’s insurer that its policyholder caused the accident might require the services of an attorney.
- See your doctor. You may have injuries of which you’re unaware. If you are examined by a doctor, make sure you are specific in explaining how the accident happened and any and all injuries and problems you sustained as a result.
If I don’t feel injured after an automobile accident, should I see a doctor?
Yes. Both you and your passengers should consider seeing a doctor after an accident. The doctor may recognize injuries, sometimes serious, that are not apparent to you. The charges for a doctor visit and medical treatment may be covered by your insurance. It is not recommended that you settle claims from an accident until a doctor has seen you and advised you about the extent of your injuries.
For certain injuries where the other party is at fault, you may also be compensated for your pain and suffering and loss of earnings capacity.
The other driver’s insurance company called and wants to speak to me.
Do not speak to them. Always be polite, but do not answer and questions or make any statements. You should not take any settlements offered by an insurance company without first speaking with an experienced auto accident lawyer. Claims adjusters are professional negotiators that work for the insurance company – not for you. Their job is to protect the interests of their employer. The attorney you select will be the only one protecting yours.
Insurance companies typically offer minimal amounts of money in return for your signature stating that you will not sue. This usually happens rather quickly after the accident takes place. Insurance companies will often discourage you from obtaining a lawyer so they can pay less to resolve your claim.
Never take an insurance check or sign anything without first consulting an attorney. You can jeopardize potential compensation you are due, and waive important rights that help to protect your interests. And you will regret it.
What issues will I face in making a claim for my injuries sustained in an auto accident?
A claim for injuries is usually based upon carelessness or negligence. In worse case scenarios, it is based on an intentional or reckless act. The three categories of issues that typically arise in a tort claim after an automobile accident are:
- Liability – who is at fault and to what degree.
- Damages – injuries or losses that were caused by the accident.
- Insurance Coverage – what the insurance company will pay for after an accident.
Why do I need a lawyer if it was just a minor car accident?
You will want to hire an experienced car accident attorney, because that person is the only one that is working in your best interests. There is no law against handling your own claims. At least notify your insurance company. Keep in mind that insurance companies and their attorneys know exactly how much your claim is worth, and they are in a much more powerful position to negotiate with the other party than you are. Their job is to resolve the potential “liability” by paying as little as possible to you. Many valuable rights were lost because the injured person believed what he or she was told by the insurance company. Contact a car accident attorney at Haymond Law to protect your rights.
In what ways are truck accidents different from car accidents?
One of the most serious ways in which these two types of accidents differ is the extent of damages and injuries when a truck and an automobile collide. A typical fully loaded large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Due to this size disparity, and the basic laws of physics, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious, even fatal, injuries.
What are the dangers associated with large trucks on the roadways?
There are a lot of dangers and causes of truck accidents associated with the size of these huge commercial vehicles. Here are a few:
- No-Zones. These are blind spots located around the front, back, and sides of the truck. When a car is in the No-Zone, the truck driver is usually unable to see it. At these times, a large truck could turn into a passing car and a serious accident could result.
- Squeeze Play. In order to negotiate a right turn, big rigs need to swing wide to the left in order to negotiate a right turn. When truck drivers make wide right turns; they are often unable to see smaller vehicles directly behind or beside them. When a car cuts between the truck and a curb, the car can be caught in a squeeze, and a serious accident can occur.
- Stopping Distance. Big trucks need a much greater stopping distance than other vehicles. If you are in a car in front of a truck and need to brake suddenly, you’re at great risk of being in a serious rear-end collision with the truck.
- Off-track”. This is a term used when a tractor-trailer truck turns at a high speed and sways into an adjacent lane without warning. Due to truck’s no-zones, if an automobile, SUV, or van is traveling too close, the truck’s 10,000 pounds of metal can enter the other lane with extreme force.
What are the primary causes of truck accidents in the U.S.?
Tractor trailers are huge and heavy vehicles that travel at high speeds. A truck traveling at 70 miles per hour has almost twice as much energy as a truck traveling at 50 miles per hour. In Many factors can contribute to serious injuries and death in collisions between large trucks and passenger vehicles. Some of these factors include:
- Aggressive drivers
- Unrealistic schedules
- Failure to inspect tires, brakes and lights
- Tailgating
- Long work-shifts
- Driver fatigue
- Cell phone use
- Failure to install blind spot mirrors
- Jackknifing
- Speeding and ignoring reduced truck speed limit
How many truck accidents can be attributed to alcohol and/or drug use?
A study by the Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety of interstate tractor-trailer drivers found that 15% of all drivers had marijuana, 12% had non-prescription stimulants, 5% had prescription stimulants, 2% had cocaine, and fewer than 1% had alcohol in their systems.
What should I do if I’m in a collision with a tractor-trailer?
If you are involved in a collision of any kind, the first and most important thing to do is call emergency response to request both medical and police assistance. Never leave the scene and it is best if you do not move your vehicle. If there are any disputes over the way the collision occurred, placement of the vehicles will often times assist the police and others in reconstructing the accident to determine exactly what happened. If you have a camera in your car, take pictures of the damage to the vehicles, and the position of the vehicles.
If you can, attempt to locate people who may have witnessed the collision. Get their name, address and telephone number. Additionally, exchange information with the other driver, such as insurance information and driver’s license information.
In almost every collision, there has been some trauma caused to your body. If an ambulance is offered, it is always best to go to the emergency room to be examined to ensure there are not any hidden or internal injuries.
You should immediately consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer. Truck companies have their own investigators and attorneys working hard to dismiss liability. One of the worst decisions individuals can make is to negotiate directly with trucking companies, insurance adjusters, or the trucking company lawyers. Most trucking companies are highly skilled at truck accident investigation and claims. Anything you say or sign may be held against you further down the road.
