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Auto Accident Lawyers

What Do Auto Accident Lawyers Do?

Auto accident lawyers are ready and available to help you with your auto accident lawsuit claim. Chances are you will be involved in at least one auto accident or truck accident in your lifetime. If you are injured in such an accident, a qualified LawInfo Lead Counsel auto accident attorney can help you file a claim and secure the compensation to which you may be entitled.

An auto accident lawyer can help "level the playing field" by providing accident victims with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of personal injury law and auto accident claims.

Auto accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for drivers under the age of 34 years, and the number of people over the age of 34 years injured and killed in auto accidents is also alarmingly high. Over 40,000 people are killed in approximately five million motor vehicle collisions and other auto accidents annually, many involving teen auto accidents. In 2002 alone, nearly 43,000 people died in highway accidents nationwide. That equates to over 115 fatalities per day.

In almost all auto accidents, at least one injury is involved, which is why auto accidents are one of the top personal injury claims filed in civil courts. The economic cost of personal injuries and property damage sustained in auto accidents is staggering—over $150 billion per year.

Auto Accident Information

What Should I Do if I am Involved in an Auto 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.

Exchange vital information with other drivers involved in the auto 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 auto 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 if damage exceeds $500 or if any injuries may be involved.
If the damages exceed $500 and/or an injury could be involved, call the police and have them take a report. The majority of accidents require a police report because they seldom involve damages less than $500 and the chances of injury are very high, even they may not be immediately apparent. Neck and back injuries are notorious for cropping up days and even months after the accident occurred.

Interview all witnesses and record their comments.
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 auto accident lawyer as quickly as possible because there are time limits involved in filing any auto accident personal injury claims. Any delays could affect your entitlement to a lawsuit claim.

Get a copy of the police report.
Get a copy of the police report. They are typically available about 10 business days after the auto 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 accident lawyer will be able to provide advise if the report does not coincide with your recollection.

Accident Lawyer Information:

Different Vehicles Are Treated Differently Under Law

Although all vehicles must obey traffic safety laws, they are not necessarily governed by the same law. Some vehicles are not considered motor vehicles and are subject to different laws than those that are. 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 busses and trolleys are governed by different state laws, and trains are regulated by federal law. This is why it is imperative to contact an auto accident attorney as quickly as possible following an accident. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine what compensation you may be entitled to and also if any immunities will be granted to municipal owners.