Automobile accidents occur regularly and cover all types of highway activity. The most common type of accident is still the basic fender bender, but there are many other highway dangers involving pedestrians, bad driving practices, and illegal driving activity. Many times the victims of these traffic mishaps are not necessarily operating a vehicle. Additionally, filing a legal claim in problematic accidents can be a difficult and frustrating process.
Some leading common types of automobile accidents include:
Head-On Collisions
Teen Car Accidents
Tailgating and Chain Reaction Car Accidents
Rear End Collisions
Intersection Collisions
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Bicycles Hit by Cars
Accident Protocol
Any individual involved in a vehicle accident should cooperate freely with the police in an investigation unless there is a possibility of being charged with a criminal offense which requires an attorney. Being a victim of an accident and being a suspect in a crime are two different things. However, an accident scene can also be a crime scene.
In many accidents it is good to take pictures if a camera or cell phone is handy, which is very common today. It is important to remain calm and think quickly in recognition of what is occurring and whether pictures could help in the investigation. Getting a picture of the fleeing vehicle in a hit-and-run accident can be crucial in locating and identifying the fleeing driver. It is important to always follow the instructions of a paramedic when necessary and seek medical attention personally if they are not present at the event of any injury. This establishes documentation of involvement and injury from the accident.
Filing a Claim
Any individual involved in an accident can receive a copy of the official accident reconstruction. The court usually makes the final determination of fault and negligence, but a personal injury and accident attorney can reasonably determine liability from the police report. The victim can begin the process of filing an injury or damage claim, but this is a process better left to a professional negotiator and legal counsel who are experienced in such matters.
Many accident injuries can also result in punitive damages from multiple respondents in certain situations. The novice accident victim can easily miss a significant damage claim. Insurance companies are not obligated to help the victims in any manner, but the insurance agent is obligated to the insurance company and negligent driver client to settle the case as cheaply as possible.
Finding a personal injury attorney local to where the accident occurred would be the ideal consideration for representation for an accident victim. For example, if you had an accident in Charlotte, NC then you would want to hire a North Carolina car accident lawyer for the case. A person local to the area of occurrence would be knowledgeable about all local and state laws and would be equipped to represent a North Carolina case.
Hire an Attorney
Bad faith bargaining is not an uncommon tactic for automobile insurance companies, and they will often attempt to discourage your hiring an attorney. It is an automatic red flag when the insurance company wants to settle the case quickly, especially if it will include a full release for future medical responsibilities. Automobile accident attorneys understand the tactics of insurance adjusters and can help make a company act quicker on necessary immediate relief such as a rental vehicle or prompt payment of medical bills. In addition, multiple respondents may be liable for negligence claims, and punitive damages are always possible in certain accidents involving egregious negligence.
Experienced personal injury and auto accident attorneys understand how to represent a claim according to case particulars, and allow the injured victim to concentrate on rehabilitation without the fear of being short-changed. Having legal representation sends a signal to the insurance company and the court that the petitioner is serious about compensatory damage recovery, and can motivate the insurance company to bargain in good faith immediately while letting a final settlement become a component of the case adjudication with minimal delay.
Legal freelance writer Lisa Coleman writes information about common types of automobile accidents and encourages a person to seek knowledgeable legal counsel if such an incident has occurred. Auger & Auger Attorneys at Law is a North Carolina car accident lawyer firm, experienced and knowledgeable about the state’s laws and equipped to represent a client who has had a NC accident.
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Lisa Coleman
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