Car Accidents
A car accident can happen when you least expect it. You may be driving along, paying attention to the road and another car comes from out of nowhere. Even the most careful drivers cannot always prevent a collision. There are many reasons an accident can occur on the roadways, and you need to know what to do when one happens to you.
Causes of Accidents
Certain behaviors by drivers increase the risk of an accident occurring. You should be aware of these things and make sure you are being as safe as possible when driving.
- Speeding – when you go above the speed limit, you increase the risk for a collision because you may not be able to stop as quickly as necessary.
- Drunk driving – even one or two drinks can impair your driving and slow your reaction time.
- Distracted driving – while using a cell phone is the most common way to be distracted, it can happen in other situations as well, such as changing stations on the radio or eating.
- Car issues – if your vehicle stops working correctly, it can cause an accident. A blown tire, trouble with steering or brake issues can lead to a collision.
- Driving mistakes – even careful drivers can make a wrong turn or fail to notice a stop sign. Drivers who are more aggressive can cause accidents because they take unnecessary chances.
Know What to Do in a Car Accident
The first thing to do is seek medical attention if you’ve been injured. It’s a good idea to get checked out even if you feel fine at the time. Some injuries don’t show up immediately, especially if your body is in shock.
It’s important to stay calm and know what to do if you’re involved in a car accident. You want to get as much information about what happened as you can, including the names of the other parties involved and the makes and models of the vehicles. You should take detailed notes as soon as you can rather than relying on your memory. Note the date, time of day and weather as well as any other significant details.
Since most people carry cell phones, it’s fairly easy to get a few photos of the accident scene. Take pictures of the vehicles and any damage sustained. You can even take photos of street signs and other identifying landmarks as evidence of where the accident occurred.
Contact your insurance provider right away to file a claim. Answer their questions with as much detail as possible. You may also want to contact an attorney to help you handle the case. Many people wait until they have problems with the insurance claim or issues with another party before talking to a lawyer, but an early consultation can help you have a stronger case.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you can contact Weiser & Associates for a free consultation and case evaluation. Email at [email protected] or call at 888-254-4697 to get the help you need as the victim of a car accident.
