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What To Do After An Accident – The Do’s and Dont’s

What To Do After An Accident – The Do’s and Dont’s

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Traffic accidents are an unfortunate reality, with over six million occurring annually in the United States alone. No matter the precautions taken to curb them, accidents still occur unexpectedly. It’s therefore imperative to familiarize yourself with what steps to take and what not to do if you ever find yourself in such a situation. 

This guide provides a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts after a car accident to help you navigate the situation effectively.

What to Do After an Accident

1. Prioritize Medical Assistance

If injured, make sure that you and anyone else involved receive immediate medical attention. Your health and that of everyone else’s around should always be the main concern.

2. Inform the Police

Documenting the accident serves as a crucial step toward building your case. If you fail to inform the police, it becomes a matter of your word against the other driver’s.

3. Exchange Contact Information

Obtain addresses, phone numbers, and other relevant information from all parties involved, including witnesses. The following details should be recorded:

  • License Plate Numbers
  • Car’s Make, Model, and Year
  • Insurance Information
  • Car Registration Number
  • Driver’s License Number

4. Capture Photographs

Use the camera on your cell phone (if you have one ready) and capture photographs of the accident scene. Be sure to show the damage, existing road conditions, and possible hazards that may have contributed to the accident.

5. Document Details

Note the date, time, weather conditions, location, and any landmarks. If possible, sketch a diagram of the accident scene.

6. Report the Incident

Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible. But remember, don’t say or sign anything until you’ve spoken to a Round Rock personal injury lawyer.

What Not to Do After an Accident

1. Avoid Panicking

Stay calm. Call for help and wait for assistance to arrive.

2. Don’t Flee the Scene

Remain at the accident site until help arrives, and you’ve exchanged information with other drivers and witnesses.

3. Don’t Discuss the Incident

File your report with the police and consult an attorney before discussing the accident with anyone else.

4. Refrain from Accepting Blame

Don’t admit fault for the accident. There could be various unseen circumstances. Also, don’t accuse the other driver – let the evidence speak for itself.

5. Don’t Record a Statement

If contacted by your insurance company or the other driver’s, don’t agree to be recorded. They may try to manipulate your story and use it against you later. Consult an attorney first.

6. Don’t Sign Any Documents

If an insurance company provides you with paperwork, review it with a Round Rock personal injury lawyer before signing anything.

7. Don’t Accept a Settlement Prematurely

Don’t accept any settlement until you’ve consulted with an attorney. They will ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

8. Don’t Delay

Evidence can disappear quickly after a car accident. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and build your case.

To Sum It Up

Sounds like there’s a lot to do and not to do, right? Plus, it’s not likely that you might have these tips at your fingertips once you’re in an accident. The truth is reaching out to a Round Rock personal injury lawyer can help you avoid all this trouble. 

They can help safeguard your rights, build a strong case, and ensure fair compensation for any damages or injuries incurred. Remember, you have a limited timeframe from the date of your injury to file a claim. So, don’t delay in contacting an attorney.

Top causes of a motorcycle accident

Top causes of a motorcycle accident

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You love to ride a motorcycle, but the last thing you want to experience is a motorcycle accident. You may find the topic to be quite unpleasant, but it is an important one. Sometimes, you have to face an accident with no fault of yours. In such a scenario, you have the right to file compensation benefits, and a motorcycle accident lawyer will help you receive the maximum compensation from the responsible parties. Here, we have come up with the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Have a look at these points and keep them in mind to avoid any such unfortunate incident in your life. 

  • Alcohol

Motorcycle accidents are common under the influence of alcohol, and it is a big NO-NO. No matter what the situation is or how experienced a rider you are, you should never ride a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol. 

  • Speed

Overspeeding is one of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents. So, you must make sure that you don’t increase the speed in crowded areas. Also, you must not increase the speed when roads are slippery due to rain or snow. 

  • Carelessness

As you ride a motorcycle, you must not be distracted, as such carelessness can cause accidents. So, put all your attention on the roads, and make sure that you are not inattentive even for a second. 

  • Mechanical Issues

Also, mechanical issues of your motorcycle can lead to accidents. So, it is important to make sure that all the parts of the bike are in proper shape and form before you go for a ride. 

  • Weather

Rainy weather or foggy weather can result in motorcycle accidents. So, it is wise to avoid riding a motorcycle in such weather conditions. You can wait for the weather to turn suitable, and then, you can go for the ride. 

As per some research done by experts, the majority of motorcycle accidents lead to serious injuries or death. So, it is very crucial to keep the above-mentioned points in mind and take steps accordingly. All you have to do is put all your focus on the roads while riding a motorcycle, and you can be safe and secure from any unfortunate incidents. Your life is important, and you can never risk it. However, if you have met with a motorcycle accident, reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer to get the required legal guidance. 

The Top Factors That Contribute to Car Accident

The Top Factors That Contribute to Car Accident

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Getting involved in an accident is something that nobody wants to be part of. That’s because it leads to devastating consequences. Depending on the magnitude of the accident, the results include temporary or permanent injuries and loss of earnings. And can you avoid them? Well, you can avoid some with the right info on the main causes of car accidents. If you are unfortunately unable to avoid being in a car crash and are injured, you can seek help from a car injury lawyer.  And in this text, we will look at some of them. Let’s start:

1.     Drunk Driving

Drinking impairs your judgment when driving, not to mention your ability to function and focus. Therefore, it’s dangerous to operate your vehicle while you’re drunk. Among the daily causes of accidents are drinking and driving. And this is something every driver can avoid. Therefore, if you’re planning to get drunk, always use a cab or a designated driver.

2.     Speeding

You must have spotted a few on the road. They’re enjoying the thrill of high-speed driving while not considering its repercussions. Some would even exceed the speed limit by 10 to 30 mph. If you didn’t know, high speed causes the most fatal accidents.

And when you drive over the speed limit, you’re not just endangering your life but that of other road users. The higher the driving speed, the lower your reaction time during an auto accident. But with lower driving speed, you can easily escape an auto accident.

3.     Rain

When the weather gets bad, the roads get bad, and car accidents become too common. For instance, rain makes the roads slippery. Car tires lose traction, making it hard to stop or avoid an auto collision. Some vehicles even lose control because of slick roads and begin to spin. Therefore, it is important to drive carefully and maintain a low speed during the rainy season.

4.     Distracted Driving

Did you know that the top cause of accidents on the road is not a drunk driver or criminal chase? Distraction driving is a top cause of car accidents across the US. But who’s a distracted driver? Well, this is a motorist whose attention is not on the road. Often, they are eating food, talking on the phone, or sending a text message. If you fit that description, it’s time you cease the habit.

5.     Ignoring Stop Signs

Road signs are there for a reason. And among them is the stop sign. When you see a stop sign, never ignore it. Many fatal accidents occur because of ignoring this sign. Annually, many vehicles get into the accident by rolling over or knocking over something because they didn’t observe this sign. Stop when you see this sign and examine both sides to reach your destination in great shape. If you see the road is clear, you can proceed.

6.     Reckless Driving

When you drive carelessly, then the chances of ending up in an avoidable auto accident are higher. And that’s an experience that reckless auto drivers face daily. It’s either they damage someone else car, drive into a ditch, or get knocked off the road. Reckless driving involves ignoring the traffic rules and common sense when you’re on the road. Often, they’re impatient and drive recklessly. Since they’re known to be aggressive, you should avoid getting close to them.

7.     Driving at Night

Many drivers praise night driving because of clear roads and the opportunity to overspend. However, night driving is the most hazardous. It doubles the risk of you getting involved in an accident. That’s because darkness makes it hard to see an oncoming car. It’s even hard to judge the distance of an oncoming vehicle when you’re overtaking. And in some areas, wildlife may be crossing without you noticing.

8.     Ignoring Red Lights

Every driver knows that red means they should stop. However, not all of them abide by it. As a result, they end up causing accidents. Such ignorance results from a head-on collision or hitting pedestrians on the crosswalk. Thus, observing traffic lights when you’re on the road is important.

And for extra protection, check both sides to see if there are incoming vehicles. Remember, there are reckless drivers on the road. And as much as you’re observing the traffic light, they may ignore it.  Suppose a person runs a red light and collides with your motor vehicle, causing you to suffer injury. In that case, you can contact a personal injury lawyer in Perth for injury claims assistance to ensure you are appropriately compensated for the losses you suffer.

9.     Teenage Drivers

Often, the young waste their youth. But with careful driving, the young drivers have nothing to lose. Unfortunately, the least people to expect to be careful are teenagers. They’re often guided by the thrill of going fast, forgetting they can hurt themselves and others. Due to their lack of experience and ignorance, they end up causing both minor and fatal accidents.

10.  Design Defect

Nothing is perfect, especially if it’s man-made. And with cars, it’s no different. Automobiles have almost over a thousand parts. Any of these parts can malfunction at any time, causing an accident. Regardless of the car model or design, defects are common among them.

From Toyota to the likes of Ford, a part may fall off, or you may experience unintended acceleration. To avoid such accidents, it’s important to remain alert while driving. You will be able to respond promptly in case of any failure.

11.  Wrong-way Driving

It’s common to blunder due to poor judgment. But some blunders can lead to devastating damages. For instance, you may change lanes and drive opposite oncoming traffic headings one way or another. The same thing can occur in one-way streets.

You may take a turn and get into a one-way street in the opposite direction. You may end up colliding depending on your speed and that of other drivers. Therefore, it’s important to observe the streets and learn which way the traffic is heading.

Final Take

With the help of this info, you should escape some of these accidents. But most importantly, you should stick to the traffic rules and regulations. They should help you be on the safe side all the time. While some accidents are unavoidable, it pays not to be the cause of them. Whether it’s insurance claims or settlements, you don’t want to be the cause.