Personal injury attorneys provide legal representation for people who’ve claimed to be injured either physically or psychologically due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another. Many of the cases that personal injury attorneys handle are involving traffic accidents. We, here at Allen Schulman and Associates in Canton, Ohio have your best interest in heart and want to make sure that you are educated about your rights in the event of a traffic accident.
In many automobile accidents, passengers and drivers alike are harmed; however, there are also some cases where the passengers are the only victims and it can be difficult for them to get fair compensation for their injuries. There are laws and rights that protect passengers in automobile accidents but in order to ensure that they do get adequate compensation they often need to contact a personal injury attorney who can advise them of their rights and legal options.
Passenger Rights in the Event of an Automobile Accident
Every state has different laws and regulations that are required to be followed after an accident. There’s also a statute of limitations which indicates a set time limit during which a lawsuit must be filed by the victim. Your personal injury attorney can advise you of the laws and regulations along with the statute of limitations in your state.
Most vehicle accidents are caused by negligence. If negligence is proven then the victim may be eligible for compensation for physical and psychological injuries. This compensation could cover healthcare bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. The compensation will come from whichever driver was deemed to be negligent.
There are a variety of physical injuries that can result from a traffic accident. These can include anything from cuts and bruises to broken bones, or even long term medical care. The loss of limb or loss of life is usually the ultimate cost of traffic accidents. The accidents can also cause neurological damage which may require constant management. These costs can accumulate quickly and in large amounts so you should never have guilt about talking to a personal injury attorney about seeking compensation for your injuries.
As a passenger, you or your personal injury attorney can investigate the cause of the accident to determine who is responsible. It is possible that one or more drivers acted with negligence to cause the accident. You can also investigate any possible vehicle defects that may hold liability with the manufacturer.
What to do if you are injured in a Traffic Accident
If you are involved in a traffic accident you may need treatment immediately. Ask for copies of all documentation and request that all procedures be recorded if you are able. Sometimes injuries from traffic accidents take a while to develop so even though you may feel okay immediately following the accident, you could display symptoms or health concerns later on. Even if you don’t feel symptoms right away, it’s a good idea to be evaluated by a doctor after the accident.
After a traffic accident, the information for the individuals involved should be taken down by the police. This should include the names, phone numbers, and insurance information of the parties involved. If there were any witnesses then the police will also take their statement. It’s a good idea to ask for a copy of the accident report for your records and for your personal injury attorney.
If possible, take photos of the accident and the area where the accident took place. If you have obvious injuries then it’s also a good idea to take photos of the injuries you sustained. Your personal injury attorney can include these in their case. Be sure to save all receipts for medical care, medication, and any other treatments for your claim as well.
Your personal injury attorney will help you file the insurance claim and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. Your lawyer can provide the insurance company with the documentation of your injuries to substantiate the claim. Your personal injury attorney will then negotiate with the insurance company to try to reach a settlement value that both parties can agree upon. However, if the insurance company decides to deny the claim or will not agree to a fair compensation amount then your personal injury attorney will advise you of the other steps that you are able to take to get compensation.
In most cases for traffic accidents, your personal injury attorney will be able to reach a fair settlement for all parties based upon the cause of the collision and the extent of the damage. Your personal injury attorney and the insurance adjuster will evaluate weather and traffic conditions, other vehicles that were involved, speed during the time of the collision, and possible vehicle factors.
Due to the complexity of the laws and regulations, it’s best if you hire a personal injury attorney to help you through this difficult process to ensure that you are adequately taken care of and able to focus on recovery instead of wondering how to pay the medical bills.