Introduction
Car accidents happen all the time, and it can be hard to know who is to blame. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize what they can do to make this process easier on themselves. This guide will take you through everything you need to know if you find yourself in this situation.
What are Car Accidents?
A car accident is a sudden event that occurs when two vehicles unexpectedly collide. Other times, one vehicle may hit a stationary object resulting in severe damage to both the car and injury to its occupants. Car accidents can occur due to many reasons, including distracted driving, speeding or reckless driving, drunk driving, and many more factors.
What is Fault in an Accident?
Fault in an accident is a legal determination of who was responsible for the crash that caused damage to property or personal injuries. To determine fault, you must look at all the circumstances surrounding the collision and how they relate to your state’s negligence rules. The insurance companies will start investigating to determine who was liable for your injury claim.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After an accident, the necessary details and decisions that need to be made can be overwhelming. This can prevent you from focusing on recovering from your injuries and helps in creating a solid case to prove a car accident was not your fault. Here are some steps to take after you’ve been in a car accident:
1. Seek Medical Attention
The most important thing to do after an accident is seek medical attention. If you or someone else has been injured, go to the hospital immediately.
2. Contact the Police
After a car accident, the most important thing is to contact the police. This ensures that you have a record of when and where the accident took place and who was involved in it. You may be able to file a claim on your auto insurance policy.
3. Be Mindful of What You Say at the Scene
It is essential to gather information about the accident and document it for later use. You should never give a recorded statement to anyone at the scene of an accident. The reason is that any recorded information is likely to be used against you, even though you may think it has been made in confidence.
4. Don’t Try and Settle the Case on Your Own
After an auto accident, your first instinct might be to try and settle the case on your own. This is a significant mistake. Agreeing with the at-fault driver yourself could lead to you being taken advantage of or forced into accepting less than what you are owed. If someone else’s negligence has injured you, there is help available. If you’re located in New York then talk to a car accident lawyer in Bronx as soon as possible to avoid making any mistakes.
5. Keep Accurate Records of the Accident
You’ll want to keep accurate records of all out-of-pocket expenses from the accident date. Your insurance company or lawyer may ask for this information, and it is essential for your future health care costs if you are injured in a car accident.
6. Take Photographs
It is a crucial part of the process. It is essential to photograph your vehicle post-accident. Take pictures of the area where the accident occurred and the vehicles involved in the collision. Later, it may help you discuss the accident with the police or insurance companies.
Conclusion
At some point, you might get into a car accident. Whether it was the other driver’s fault or a situation where both of you were at fault will largely depend on the laws of your state. To further complicate things, accidents can happen quickly, especially if one driver does something that provokes other drivers to react suddenly. The bottom line is that there are many instances where you will be required to prove that you were not at fault for an accident.