Driving is risky. It is at times very dangerous too. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned that car accidents cause more deaths than accidents on buses, planes, and trains combined. Over six million car accident cases occur every year. Sounds scary, doesn’t it?
Car accidents happen often, but rear-end car crashes are the most frequent type of traffic accidents. Over 40% of the six million auto accidents reported by NHTSA are rear-end collisions. Such car crashes can do more harm and property damage than any other incident on the road. What do you do if the damage is caused by another driver’s negligence?
It is highly unfortunate that because of the actions of others (or negligent drivers), many safe drivers become serious injury victims every day. Negligence in any car accident is all about not following traffic laws and signals and driving recklessly.
If you’re in such a situation, it is crucial to know how to get the best Personal Injury protection and fair compensation. Handling it on your own can be tricky. But here are the top 8 tips from the best car accident lawyer in Long Island on what to do when you get rear-ended:
1. Check for Car Accident Injuries
Your safety should be your priority. If someone hits you from behind while driving, the first thing is to check if you (or anyone with you) have suffered any injury.
Even if you don’t get any personal injury, you should seek medical attention from a professional. It is to make sure that no underlying issues may have gone unnoticed in a car accident.
Some of the best car accident attorneys suggest that the most frequent car crash-related injuries include:
· Neck injuries
· Broken bones
· Back injuries and
· Other permanent injuries, such as organ damage or traumatic brain injury.
It’s best to talk to a car accident lawyer experienced in handling car accident victims. Can’t talk to them? Call 911, immediately!
2. Pull Over Safely After Car Accidents
The next step is to move to a safe place. Lawyers even recommend you stay out of your motor vehicle after a car accident because it would put you and other drivers at risk.
If you think you can still drive after a car accident, move your car away from traffic. It could be any rest area, parking lot, or the side of the road.
If you can’t or if it isn’t safe, make sure you turn hazard lights on to alert other drivers. Now all you have to do is wait for emergency services.
Remember to stay calm in all types of situations. Panicking often leads to poor decision-making and increases the risk of car accidents.
Take a deep breath and assess the situation if you have a car accident.
3. Call the Police
Always obtain the police report if you can or can’t handle the situation on your own.
Even if there are no serious injuries or property damage, it’s still better to file a police report.
Our car accident attorneys suggest that filing a report is helpful as it contains:
1. The names
2. Addresses
3. Phone numbers of witnesses
4. At-fault party’s insurance information
5. License numbers
6. A diagram of the car collision, and
7. Many other important items.
The police can also assist in managing traffic and ensuring that car accident victims follow the proper procedures.
Make sure you give accurate information to the police. It’s always better to involve the authorities.
4. Exchange Information
Exchange information with the other driver, including names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information if a car accident happens.
Did someone else see the motor vehicle accident? Get their contact information as well. Contact witnesses as soon as possible after the car accident.
Memories rapidly fade, so our car accident attorneys instruct that it is very important to act fast. It would also help you to reach the witnesses first.
Having accurate and complete details can help you in car accident claims and legal proceedings.
5. Take Photos
The hard proof that photos provide after getting is money in the bank. Our NYC car accident lawyers suggest that you take your photographs if the damage to your motor vehicle is more than minimal.
You should always take photos if there is any doubt about who was at fault. Make sure you cover the location or any traffic signs or signals involved.
Try to capture the full extent of the damage with different angles and distances.
It’s also a good idea to take photos of the auto accident scene, skid marks, or debris on the road.
If you’re injured in a slip-and-fall accident, show some photos of the area. You should take it as soon as possible.
Always keep in mind that having more photos of the car accident can help you handle the car accident claim with your insurance company and legal proceedings better.
6. Seek Medical Attention
You must seek medical attention after a car accident, even if you believe yourself to be alright or don’t detect any personal injury right away. Make sure you:
Don’t Delay:
Please do not postpone getting medical care, as in some instances, injuries sustained from a car accident might manifest gradually over time. Exercise prudence when it comes to your well-being.
Get Yourself Recover Soon
It’s essential to have a speedy recovery, particularly in the first few weeks following a rear-end collision. Failure to get medical care may lead your insurance company to assume that you have not suffered injuries at all.
Watch for Any Emotional Damage
Watch for any signs of emotional distress. Rear-end collisions can cause significant stress on your emotions. The emotional impact can be just as significant as the physical impact. You should get medical care if you’re experiencing symptoms such as anxiety or depression after a car accident.
As your treatment comes to an end, it is important to sort medical records. Review your medical bills for accuracy before sending them to your insurance company. You’re then all set to begin your car accident claim.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
Don’t worry if you’re rear-ended. Your insurance company will help!
All you have to do is contact them as soon as possible to report the motor vehicle accident. They’ll then start your car accident claim. Here are some of the reasons why you should:
Your Insurance Company Covers Many Things
You can’t find out the at-fault party when you’re rear-ended. Your health insurance company can.
This process involves reviewing the report filed to the police, your medical records, witnesses and their statements, and any other proof.
Once they have determined who was at fault, your insurer will work with the insurance company of the other driver to settle the car accident claim.
Get Your Motor Vehicle Repaired
Need help with the motor vehicle accident issue?
Generally, if you’re at fault, your liability insurance will cover the cost of repairs, subject to certain limits.
There is also uninsured/underinsured vehicle coverage. Many states mandate you to have it. This coverage kicks in if you get hit by a driver with no insurance or enough money to cover your losses. It also provides you coverage in case of a hit-and-run incident.
Even if it isn’t mandatory, it can still benefit you. And it is affordable and budget-friendly as well, as it supplements your overall coverage.
Your insurance company may also arrange a rental car until you repair the vehicle. Make sure you work with a reputable repair shop that provides a warranty on their work.
Get Your Medical Bills Paid
When you get rear-ended, the old adage holds true: a sound defense is paramount. And what better means of securing your defenses than adequate insurance coverage? The right policy can protect all that you’ve labored tirelessly for from unforeseeable things that are not in your control. These situations may include car accidents, the actions of others, serious injuries, and death.
Insurance itself can be confusing, especially when you need your medical bills covered. Here is a list of benefits you get when you contact your insurance company after getting rear-ended:
· You Need Not to Worry About Bills:
If you are injured, your insurance company will cover your medical bills up to the limits of your policy. Your job is to focus on recovering from the accident, not worrying about bills.
· You’ve Got Your Insurance Limits Set
Most insurance companies typically set out their limits, such as a total benefit amount over your life. They may specify in their policies the maximum cost you are responsible for during a given year through means of deductible or out-of-pocket cap. In some cases, this could mean that the insurance company covers expenses up to $5000 while everything exceeding it requires full payment from the policyholder until you meet their deductible option.
· No-Fault Insurance Laws for You
No-fault insurance laws are in place in some states, such as Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. These laws dictate that each insurance company must pay the insurance claim for its policyholders, regardless of who is at fault for the rear-end collision. So your insurance company would pay for your claims even if it was not your mistake.
· Liability Limits for Rear-End Collisions
State laws usually predetermine liability limits for you or any car accident. For example, if you have a limit set of $5,000/10,000, you can get up to $5,000/$10,000 in medical bills if you’re rear-ended. If you traveling with three persons (or more), and all of them get injured, the coverage of medical bills for everyone involved stops when the combined total reaches $10,000.
· You’ve Got a Minimum Coverage to Protect You
It’s mandatory for you (as a car owner) to have minimum liability insurance coverage as set by your state law. But it doesn’t mean that a minimum coverage will protect you fully.
Make sure your medical bills or damage claims do not exceed your liability coverage. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for extra damages, and it may put all your other assets at risk. Therefore, you should have a minimum coverage to protect you from such a possibility.
Be honest and as accurate as you can with your medical records. Any failure to do so can lead to complications and delays in the car accident claims process.
8. Contact the Best Car Accident Attorneys in Long Island
If you are injured in a car wreck or by the actions of a negligent driver, it is essential to exercise your right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Here are some of the reasons why you should contact the best law firm:
You Can’t Handle Personal Injury Cases by Yourself
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea to handle a personal injury claim. You can’t do it on your own because you have not mastered the legal complexities involved in car accident cases.
Having a reputable law firm or a personal injury attorney with years of experience in handling personal injury claims is a blessing.
You Can’t Investigate a Rear-End Collision
Confusions arise when you don’t know who is at fault. A car accident lawyer can help and guide you through the entire process. We will investigate the car accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf.
You Get a Free Consultation
Many law firms offer free consultation for personal injury cases. We evaluate your case free of cost. Such a free consultation allows us to decide if your auto accident case is worth our time. It can also be your chance to find out if our car accident attorney is someone you feel comfortable with.
You Can’t Deal with Your Insurance Company if They’re Mishandling Your Case
If your own insurance company is not handling your case appropriately, a law firm can step in and advocate for you. Part of their job is to help level the playing field when dealing with insurance companies and their team of lawyers.
Accident victims often presume that their insurance company thinks best in their interests. But it is not true. Your insurance adjuster could use a variety of tactics to diminish of reject your compensation for a car crash. A car accident lawyer experienced in handling personal injury claims understands such practices and seeks nothing less than fair compensation on your behalf.
You Get Fair Settlement
A car accident lawyer can also help negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair settlement. We can assist in evaluating the extent of your damages in a car accident and determining the appropriate compensation you should receive.
The best car accident attorney always fights for your rights. We must ensure that you get paid for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the car crash.
By having a car accident lawyer on your side, you increase your chances of getting full and fair compensation for serious injuries and losses. Our experienced attorney can provide invaluable guidance and support through the legal process, helping you navigate complex laws and regulations to ensure your rights are protected, and your best interests are represented.
Lost Your Loved One in a Rear-End Collision? A Car Accident Lawyer Can Also Help Recover Damages
As said above, it is not easy to handle a personal injury case. However, entrusting an experienced car accident lawyer with managing all faces of your wrongful death case can help you obtain compensation for damages incurred. The financial and emotional losses suffered by yourself or your loved ones resulting from medical bills, funeral expenses, deprivation of future income, as well as anguish endured by the deceased before their passing may be recoverable through economic and non-economic means alike.
Get in Touch Today with the Best Car Accident Lawyers in New York
Contact the Law Office of Frank A. Cetero if you were rear-ended in Long Island (or nearby areas). Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced NYC Car Accident lawyers. Our team is here to support you in getting fair compensation for your damages.
