What to Do After a Car Accident
If you recently sustained injuries in a car crash, you need to take several important steps, including undergoing prompt medical treatment, gathering documents, and retaining experienced legal counsel to represent you throughout your case.
Depending on your injuries and other accident circumstances, you may receive various types of monetary damages. The monetary compensation you recover will depend on the specific injuries you suffered, the total cost of your medical treatment, and other losses you incurred due to the accident.
One of the most important steps is to consult a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Tulsa as soon as possible.
Your attorney can investigate your accident circumstances promptly, gather police reports and other documentation, and file a claim on your behalf – usually with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Next, your attorney can handle all settlement negotiations or litigate your car accident case to a resolution in the state court system. Your lawyer will be your advocate throughout the proceedings and will work tirelessly on your behalf to recover the fair compensation you need.
Steps to Take Following Your Involvement in a Car Crash
After a car crash, taking immediate and thoughtful steps is crucial to ensuring your safety – not to mention your ability to pursue and recover favorable monetary compensation for your injuries.
Some of the most important steps you should take following a car accident include:
- Documenting the car accident scene by taking photos of the scene, vehicle damage, license plates, and any relevant road signs or signals
- Refraining from admitting fault for the accident and sticking only to factual information when speaking with others
- Seeking prompt medical treatment and continuing your medical treatment regimen until a healthcare provider or facility formally discharges you from care
- Contacting your insurance company and placing them on notice of a potential claim
- Consulting with an experienced local car accident attorney who regularly litigates car accident claims in the court system and has a strong track record of success.
- Maintaining a file with all relevant records, such as medical invoices, treatment records, and correspondence with insurance company representative.
Following these steps enhances your safety, facilitates insurance claims, and establishes a solid foundation for any legal proceedings arising from your car crash.
Recovering the Financial Compensation You Deserve for Your Car-accident Losses
Victims may be entitled to various financial compensation following a car accident to cover their injuries and related losses. The nature and extent of compensation depend upon factors such as the severity of injuries, liability, and local laws.
Car accident victims may receive monetary compensation for:
- Medical expenses – Injured accident victims can pursue reimbursement for medical bills resulting from the accident, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Property damage – Compensation for repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and other property is typically part of a car accident insurance claim. A property damage claim may cover the cost of repairs or the vehicle’s fair market value if the insurance company deems it a total loss.
- Lost income – If the accident victim’s injuries lead to missed work time, they may recover compensation for lost income. This compensation includes current and potential future earnings if the injuries result in long-term physical or mental impairments.
- Pain and suffering – Non-economic damages, such as physical pain and emotional distress, may be subject to compensation in a car accident claim or lawsuit. Quantifying these damages can be challenging, but they aim to address the intangible toll of the accident on the victim’s overall life and well-being.
- Loss of consortium – In cases where the accident affects personal relationships, particularly spousal relationships, the uninjured spouse may be eligible to receive monetary compensation due to loss of companionship or intimacy.
- Wrongful death damages – If the accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional effects of losing their loved one.
- Punitive damages – In car accident cases that involve extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior in the future.
A skilled car accident lawyer in your area can estimate the likely types and amounts of monetary damages you may be eligible to recover, guiding you in making important decisions while your case is pending.
Where Do Car Accidents Commonly Occur?
Car accidents can occur in various locations, each presenting its own challenges and risks. One common site for car accidents is traffic intersections, where traffic from multiple directions converges. Failing to yield the right-of-way, running red lights, and distracted driving often contribute to collisions at these intersections.
Another common car accident location is highways and freeways. High speeds, heavy traffic, and the potential for sudden lane changes create an environment prone to serious traffic accidents. Tailgating and reckless driving amplify the potential risks on these fast-paced roadways.
Parking lots are also surprisingly common venues for traffic accidents. Tight spaces, obscured visibility, and distracted drivers searching for parking spots contribute to fender benders and other minor collisions in these areas.
Even when drivers are careful in a parking lot, they cannot avoid a reckless driver who bolts out of a parking space or speeds around the lot, showing no regard for other drivers or pedestrians.
Residential areas are not exempt from accident occurrences either. The potential for car accidents increases considerably with the large mix of parked cars, children playing, and pedestrians. When other drivers speed through these neighborhoods, they pose a significant risk.
Rural roads present unique challenges, including narrow lanes and limited visibility. When other drivers violate road rules and engage in distracted driving in these locations, they significantly increase their chances of causing an accident. Similarly, construction zones are also common accident locations marked by reduced speed limits and altered traffic patterns.
Finally, accidents involving pedestrians occur in crosswalks and areas with heavy foot traffic – usually because drivers fail to yield the right-of-way, are distracted driving, are speedy, and disobey failed traffic control devices.
You are not alone if you recently experienced injuries in a car crash in one of these locations. An experienced car accident lawyer can take the steps necessary to investigate your accident and promptly file an insurance claim on your behalf.
What are the Five Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Car accidents are attributable to many factors, but five common causes consistently contribute to road incidents.
Distracted driving tops the list, fueled by the widespread use of mobile phones and other electronic devices. Texting, talking, or engaging with apps diverts a driver’s attention from the road, leading to impaired reaction times and an increased likelihood of collisions.
Speeding – another prevalent cause – often results in severe accidents and injuries. Exceeding posted speed limits reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions (including abrupt traffic back-ups), increases stopping distances, and increases the effects of collisions.
Moreover, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a persistent cause of accidents. Impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and compromised motor skills make intoxicated driving extremely dangerous. Strict enforcement of DUI laws, public awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives aim to reduce the incidence of accidents caused by impaired driving. However, many drivers still choose to get behind the wheel of a car after having too much to drink.
On the other hand, Reckless driving encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including aggressive tailgating, frequent lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals. These actions significantly increase the risk of traffic accidents by creating unpredictable driving conditions. When a reckless driver loses control of their vehicle, they can bring about a serious accident that causes multiple injuries.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident that resulted from another driver’s careless or reckless conduct, you may be eligible for monetary compensation and damages. A skilled car accident lawyer in your area can file the appropriate personal injury claim on your behalf and pursue the monetary recovery you need.
What are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Car crashes can result in a range of injuries, with some being more common due to the dynamics of vehicle collisions. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, frequently results from rear-end collisions. The sudden acceleration-deceleration in this type of accident may cause the accident victim’s neck to hyperextend and then rapidly flex, leading to strain on the neck muscles and ligaments.
Fractures are another common car accident injury, often occurring in high-impact crashes. Bones may break due to the force the accident exerts on the body. Common fracture sites include the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone. The severity of bone fractures can also vary, and in more serious cases, the accident victim may require surgical intervention.
Head injuries such as concussions are also common in car accidents, especially when the force of an accident causes a driver or passenger to strike their head on the headrest, steering wheel, or window.
Chest injuries can occur when the accident victim’s chest strikes the steering wheel or dashboard in the accident. The accident may also cause bruised or broken ribs, as well as damage to internal organs like the lungs and heart, depending upon the collision force.
Other common soft tissue injuries beyond whiplash include bruises, cuts, and abrasions. These injuries may result from contact with various vehicle surfaces or loose objects propelled within the car during the collision.
While generally less severe than other types of car crash injuries, they still contribute to the overall toll of a car accident and may require medical treatment following the accident.
If you suffered any of these injuries in a recent car crash, consult a medical provider and undergo an examination as quickly as possible. In the meantime, your car accident lawyer can begin organizing your case and gathering the documents necessary to satisfy your legal burden of proof.
Common Types of Car Accidents
Car crashes can take various forms, each presenting its own set of unique challenges and potential injuries. Rear-end collisions are among the most common types. These accidents occur when a vehicle strikes the one in front of it, usually because of tailgating, distracted driving, or sudden stops.
Side-impact collisions, or T-bone crashes, happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. These accidents are common at intersections when another driver illegally runs a stop sign or red traffic light. Side-impact collisions can lead to severe injuries, especially if the impact occurs on the side where a driver or passenger is seated.
Single-vehicle accidents involve only one vehicle and can take various forms. Run-off-road crashes, for instance, occur when a vehicle leaves the roadway. Factors like speeding, adverse weather conditions, or driver fatigue may contribute to these accidents. Your attorney can pursue a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company if you suffered injuries as a passenger in a single-vehicle crash.
Head-on collisions occur when the fronts of two vehicles strike one another. These crashes often result in severe injuries and fatalities due to the combined force of both vehicles’ speeds. Factors such as impaired driving, overtaking in no-passing zones, or distracted driving can contribute to head-on collisions.
Finally, multi-vehicle pileups involve three or more vehicles and often occur on highways or during adverse weather conditions. Reduced visibility, high speeds, and delayed reaction times can lead to a chain reaction of collisions that involve many vehicles.
In some cases, more than one driver can be responsible for a chain-reaction collision, and your personal injury lawyer can identify all potentially responsible parties in your case.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyer Near You Today
Following a car accident, many victims are unsure of the steps they should take to safeguard their rights and interests. In addition to seeking prompt medical treatment, you must contact a skilled car accident attorney in your jurisdiction as soon as possible.
Your personal injury attorney can handle all of the legal components of your claim or lawsuit. At the same time, you focus on attending medical appointments, going to physical therapy sessions, and fully recovering from your injuries.
Throughout the process, your attorney will aggressively advocate on your behalf and can take on the insurance company directly. By aggressively fighting for your legal rights and interests, your attorney will work to maximize the total monetary compensation you receive, ensuring that you become whole again after your car accident.