Negligence is a factor that can determine who must pay for injuries caused in an accident. Negligence usually lands on the shoulders of the person who is found at fault, but determining that blame is not always straightforward or easy. Understanding how negligence works and how it affects you is the first step toward filing a successful claim.

Defining Negligence

In the case of car accidents, negligence is determined based on who is found responsible for causing the accident. Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, he or she is under a kind of contract called “duty of care.” This simply runs along the lines that each driver takes it upon themselves not to cause injuries to anyone, place anyone in danger or cause damage as a result of their actions. A failure to do so is considered a breach of that contract and is, therefore, negligence. Whether it was reckless driving, drinking and driving, speeding, or any other form of carelessness, that driver can be held liable for injuries he or she caused.

Proving Negligence

Simply saying that you are the victim of another’s negligence after an accident is not enough. You must prove that the other driver was negligent and caused the crash. Furthermore, you must prove that the accident directly caused your injuries. This grants you the rightful opportunity to seek compensation for your medical expenses in the court’s eyes.

Evidence Needed to Prove Fault

The injuries you sustain from an accident can have a direct impact on your financial situation. You may lose wages because you can’t work, and medical bills may start piling up. To gain the compensation to cover these costs, you’ll need to prove to the insurance company, and the court, if necessary, that the other driver was negligent and their insurance needs to cover your losses. Try to gather and keep track of important documents that you can later use to present your case, such as:

• Police reports
• Doctor reports
• Medical bills
• Proof of lost wages
• Personal notes about the accident
• Eyewitness statements of the accident
• Pictures of the accident site and any damage

It’s essential to seek out medical attention shortly after the accident. You’ll need a doctor’s report to prove that your injuries were a direct result of the crash.

If you’re ever uncertain of your stance, or if an insurance company is trying to pay you less than you deserve, contact a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt. He or she can help you work through options and set you on the right path to recovery.

The dangers we all encounter on the road are majorly effectuated by driving recklessly. The way we drive our cars advances its own particular set of dangers, the process whereby we have to drive alongside reckless drivers to accumulate the tendencies of accident occurrence. Accidents prompted by reckless drivers tend to be more severe than other accidents caused by a driver trying to dodge the traffic light gently. If you happen to know anyone who has experienced an accident prompted by reckless driving, it is very much advisable you involve a car accident lawyer.

Reckless drivers usually get into accidents because they’re always ignoring safety regulations put in place to keep every road user safe. Here are some causes of common reckless driving:

• Over speeding

• Changing their lanes speedily

• Driving zigzag due to traffic

• Overlooking red lights and the stop signs

• Driving extremely close to another vehicle

• Lack of using your driving signals properly

• Driving out of stress

• Driving after a heavy dose of alcohol or drugs

As we drive each day, we are meant to drive carefully, not because we are forced to do so, but for our safety. Any driver that disregards safety driving precautions is, therefore, putting their life and the life of other road users at risk.

Now the real question is, what should I do when a reckless driver hits me!?

We all know the severity one is likely to sustain after being hit by a reckless driver. Common injuries affected by careless driving are; amputation, TPI, Spinal cord damage and many more…

In most cases, people get the same compensation as they would get if it weren’t due to reckless driving. If you go to an insurance company before you get compensation, they have to look at the severity of the injuries, the time you missed at work since the accident and some other things. Finally, a driver’s reckless driving won’t affect the way you handle the accident. However, reckless drivers are likely to be sentenced to jail or pay fines. They’re also expected to lose their driving license, or they could be given limitations on their license, particularly if they’re very frequent to reckless driving.

It is 100% recommended you involve a car accident lawyer, like from Royce Injury Attorneys, after a reckless driver hits you, or you can file a claim with the reckless driver’s insurance company all by yourself by accident. But, most victims of reckless driving accident proves that involving a lawyer will give you the following advantages:

• Involving a lawyer could actually plus your compensation. They offer you a better understanding of the exact amount of compensation you should get and help you attain that.

• After involving a good lawyer, you can then go to the insurance company of the reckless driver. When the insurance company sees how serious you are ready to take the case, they’ll have no choice but to increase your compensation.

• Lawyers help you get all necessary evidence that you need to prove the driver’s recklessness.

Car Accident Lawyer

When you’re in a car accident and it was your own fault, it may seem obvious why you’d need an attorney. In many situations in which the accident was someone else’s fault, the innocent party often fails to hire a lawyer, but that could be a mistake. If you are in an accident that was someone else’s fault, the following are some reasons to have an attorney on hand.

Dealing With an Insurance Company

The at-fault party’s insurance company might be difficult to deal with. Sometimes the insurer will call you and harass you, trying to get a statement in which you incriminate yourself. Sometimes the insurer will call to offer you a settlement. In any case, you don’t have to deal with those insurance companies. You have no obligation to offer a statement, give your version of the story or accept an offer. If you do feel the company is bothering you, give your attorney the information and let him or her handle the situation.

Filing a Lawsuit

After some car accidents, you’ll want to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Your lawyer can help you put together a compelling case and get it filed. If it ends up going to court, your lawyer can walk you through that process. There are probably some legal terms and definitions you don’t know, and having that lawyer by your side could help you understand what is going on. Your lawyer can also help to ensure the lawsuit gets filed properly and on time.

Obtaining Compensation

Even when you’re not responsible for the accident, it could prove difficult to obtain compensation if fault for the accident isn’t black and white. The other party might try to prove fault with you, and your lawyer can fight against that. There could also be multiple parties at fault, and you could seek compensation from each of them. For example, a municipality may be at fault because there was a pothole that the other driver hit before crashing into you. You could probably sue that municipality. If the other driver happened to also be drunk, you might be able to sue him or her in addition to the municipality.

Retaining Your Car Accident Attorney

It’s nice to have a car accident attorney, like a car accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, on hand after you’ve been involved in a car accident. Contact an attorney at Kamper & Estrada, PLLC,  for more information on how they might be able to help your situation. 

Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can be stressful, causing injuries you don’t have time to deal with. If you’re pregnant at the time of your accident, this can further complicate your life and the life of your unborn child. Any car accident that you’re in while pregnant justifies a trip to see your doctor immediately. You should have an examination conducted at the scene by a paramedic, and if emergency care is recommended, you should go in an ambulance to the emergency room.

Contacting Your Obstetrician

If you don’t see your OB/GYN immediately after your accident, you should make a phone call to inform him or her you were in an accident. Your doctor may want you to head into the office for an appointment right away. He or she may examine you, as well as conduct certain tests on the baby.

Watching for Serious Signs

At the scene of your accident, it’s possible you will feel just fine, and that the paramedics will say you’re fine to go home. It’s always best to get a second opinion from your OB/GYN, but even then you could get sent home with a warning to pay attention to your body just in case something shows up at a later time. Some serious signs to watch for include:

• Excessive vomiting that is more severe than your typical morning sickness
• Contractions
• Vaginal bleeding or abdominal bruising
• Severe abdominal pain
• Light-headedness, headaches or numbness
• Changes in the baby’s movements

If any of these symptoms occur, you should call your doctor right away, and possibly head straight into the emergency room. There’s a chance you’ll have to deliver your baby early or be put on bed rest to save both your child and yourself.

Seeking Legal Help

After your car accident, you’ll probably find yourself filing insurance claims and possibly lawsuits. You’ll need a way to pay for your injuries, possible injuries to the baby, property damage, car repairs, lost wages and a host of other expenses. If the accident wasn’t your fault, the other party’s insurance company should make you an offer. Your lawyer can help you determine if the offer is fair. If not, you may reject it and file a lawsuit instead.

Your lawyer can also help you file the lawsuit. You’ll need to collect evidence, witness information and documents that outline the severity of your injuries and costs. The lawyer will then put together a case so you can seek compensation.

Contacting Your Lawyer Today to Get Started

If you were in a car accident while pregnant, it’s important you get started with your case while everything is fresh on your mind. Contact a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Dekalb County, GA from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C., today to get moving in the right direction.

Car Accident Lawyer

Some people believe that walking away from a car accident without signs of a physical injury means they are alright. However, several traumas can present days or weeks after the initial impact. The body is strange and wonderful in that it can disguise pain to preserve survival, which is why you always need to get checked out after an accident. If you don’t, at least pay attention to the six sneaky injuries with delayed symptoms.

1. Neck Pain

Neck pain often appears after a collision and it can take days to present. The common term is “whiplash,” and it can affect the neck and shoulders, causing stiffness and soreness. Depending on the severity of the injury, a doctor may recommend wearing a neck brace for a period to restrict movement and further damage.

2. Back Pain

Following an accident, you may believe that you are fine, and your movements may not feel restricted. However, within several hours or days, you may suddenly find it difficult to bend and twist because of back pain. The force of the crash can lead to odd positions and impacts, which result in back muscle strain and potential spinal injuries.

3. Abdominal Pain

Your abdomen is one of the most vulnerable parts of your body during an accident. The airbag, steering wheel position, and your seatbelt all serve as tension and impact points, leading to extensive bruising, bleeding, and swelling, which may not appear right away.

4. Headaches

Your head is a significant concern, and it is especially vulnerable during collisions. Do you position your seatbelt correctly? Is your seat back far enough from the steering wheel? Does your car have side window airbags? An accident is a concussive experience, and without proper positioning and protection, you risk severe head trauma, and headaches are a common sign of such injury.

5. Numbness

Depending on how your body reacted during the accident, you may have a pinched nerve. When an injury compresses a nerve, it can lead to numbness in your arms, hands, legs or other areas of the body. This injury may take time to present because of swelling.

6. Psychological Trauma

Brain injuries or shock can also lead to psychological trauma. If you are experiencing nightmares or violent mood swings, go to a doctor immediately.

While not all these injuries are common, they can result from a car accident. If your collision resulted in financial and physical difficulties, contact a local car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in MD.

Thanks to The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. for their insight into some of the most common car accident injuries that might have delayed symptoms. 

Personal Injury Lawyer

Teen drivers are more likely to get into car accidents than older, more experienced drivers. When teens cause serious car collisions, the outcome can be devastating for everyone involved. Here are some of the most common causes of teen car accidents.

Inexperience

Many car accidents caused by teen drivers are simply due to inexperience. Teens who have less than two years of driving experience under their belt are less able to recognize danger and react properly. For example, teens might not notice when other drivers are acting recklessly and may not keep their distance from them. Young drivers will inevitably get better at recognizing dangerous situations as they gain more experience.

Texting and Driving

Many teens just can’t stay off their smartphones, even when they’re behind the wheel. Unfortunately, this can result in very serious car crashes. If a teen reads or responds to a text while behind the wheel, he or she will take his or her eyes off the road and has a higher risk of getting into an accident. To minimize the risk of car accidents, teens should turn off their smartphones while they’re driving.

Drunk Driving

Teens have less life experience and may be more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors like drinking and driving. They might not realize the true consequences of driving while intoxicated and get behind the wheel after they’ve had a few alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can cloud judgment and lower their reaction time, increasing the risk of a car crash.

Driving with Teen Passengers

When teens first get their driver’s license, they’re often excited to have their friends ride with them. Unfortunately, driving with teen passengers can increase the risk of car accidents. Teen drivers may get distracted talking to the passengers and take their attention off the road. They may also be more likely to partake in dangerous driving practices to impress their friends.

Distracted Driving

Teen drivers can be tempted with many distractions other than their smartphones. They may also play with the radio, eat food, or even groom themselves. All of these actions can divert their attention off the road and increase their risk of getting into an accident.

Speeding

Teen drivers may also be more likely to drive above the speed limit. Unfortunately, speeding can lower their reaction time and increase the likelihood of a car accident.

Were You Injured in a Car Accident?

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a teen driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL, to discuss your legal options.

Thanks to David & Philpot, P.L. for their insight into the common reasons teenagers get into car accidents.