Car Accident Attorneys

Car accidents can be caused by speeding, illegal lane changes, drunk drivers, drivers who fell asleep or were preoccupied, or bad road conditions. They can involve pedestrians, other cars and road side structures and be front or side collisions or rear endings. Common injuries in an auto accident are whiplash, head injuries, broken bones, lacerations and even paralysis.

Car accidents are one of the top personal injury claims filed in civil courts these days. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, in 2006 there were almost 6 million auto accidents in which 2,575,000 people were injured and over 42,000 were killed. In 2005 over 39,000 accident victims were killed. In the most recently reported year (2000), the economic costs of personal injuries and property damage is staggering— $230 billion. Car accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for persons between 4 and 34 years of age.

What Do Auto Accident Lawyers Do?

Auto accident attorneys are ready and available to help you with your car accident lawsuit claim. If you are injured in a car accident, contact a LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified car accident attorney in your area today, who can protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation to which you are entitled. A car accident attorney can help "level the playing field" by providing car accident victims with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of personal injury law and car accident claims.

What Should I Do if I'm Involved in a Car Accident?

The first thing you should do if you are able to move is to make sure you and your passengers (if any) are OK. Move as far off the roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the auto accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights or setting flares.

Second, exchange vital information with other drivers involved in the car accident. Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and witnesses. Ask for the insurance companies and policy numbers for drivers involved in the car accident. Be sure to note makes, models, colors and descriptions of all vehicles involved, and take down the plate numbers, as well.

Call the police to report the accident. The majority of accidents require a police report. A police report may be helpful if your injuries do not appear until well after the accident. Neck and back injuries are notorious for cropping up days and even months after the accident occurred.

Interview all witnesses and record their comments either at the scene of the accident or as soon as possible afterwards. It is important to do these interviews as quickly as possible because witnesses' memories tend to fade with time and the information you get may not be as valuable to you. Information gathered immediately or very soon after the accident will be much more accurate than any recalled at some later date.

Photograph the accident scene and notate traffic light color (if applicable). If you happen to have a camera, try to photograph the scene prior to moving the vehicles (only if safe to do so). Be sure to note what color the traffic light was (if applicable). Remember to write everything down immediately or as close to the time of the accident as you can. You should also keep in mind that anything you say to anyone following the accident will be admissible and is not considered hearsay, so it is important that the information you provide is as accurate as possible.

Seek medical attention for your injuries as quickly as possible. If treatment is delayed, the other driver may argue that it was not his or her negligent driving that caused your injury, but rather something that occurred between the time of the accident and your visit to the doctor. Then, contact an experienced and reputable car accident lawyer as quickly as possible because there are time limits involved in filing any car accident personal injury claims. Any delays could affect your entitlement to a lawsuit claim.

Get a copy of the police report. They are typically available about 10 business days after the car accident occurred. Review the police report to be sure that it generally coincides with your recollection of the accident. Even if it doesn't, you will need it for your claim. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to provide advise if the report does not coincide with your recollection.

Different Vehicles Are Treated Differently Under Law

Although all vehicles must obey traffic safety laws, the laws in which they are governed are not necessarily the same. This could affect your rights as an injured person. For example, if you are injured in an accident involving a bus, trolley or train, your rights as an injured person are affected because buses and trolleys are governed by different state laws and trains are regulated by federal law. If you are involved in an accident with a government owned vehicle, such as a mass transit bus, your lawsuit may be subject to different procedures. This is why it is imperative to contact a car accident attorney as quickly as possible following an accident. An experienced Lead Counsel car accident attorney will be able to determine what compensation you may be entitled to and also if any immunities will be granted to municipal owners.