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Steps You Should Take if You Are in a Car Accident

Each year there are more cars on the roads, and each year the number of car accidents in the United States increases. Statistics show that every American will be involved in at least one car accident in their lifetime. There is an average of 6 millions car accidents every year in the United States. Accidents can range from small fender benders to major collisions. The most common injury associated with car accidents is whiplash, where the head lurches forward and then backwards very suddenly. In more serious accidents, victims can suffer head and spinal injuries. In the most serious accident victims can lose their lives. In 2006, there were almost 40,000 fatalities resulting from car accidents in the United States. In New Hampshire and Vermont there were 127 and 87 fatalities from car accidents, respectively.

Car crashes resulting in fatality or serious injury can put an enormous financial burden on the victim and their family members. Medical expenses and loss of income are two of the most frequent expenses related to car accidents. The stress and burden of these events can be compounded by insurance companies. Many times these companies refuse to pay fair settlements that will cover a victim’s and their family’s needs. Though I have painted a bleak picture, there are immediate steps car accident victims can take to make the post accident process a little easier.

The first thing any auto accident victim should do is call the police. This is why it is always a good idea to carry a cell phone with you while driving, though it is never a good idea to speak on a cell phone while driving. The police will send an ambulance if there are any injuries that need medical attention. When the officer arrives, they will likely inspect the scene and speak to all parties individually. The officer will attempt to piece together what caused the accident and who is at fault. The officer will seek to determine if any party was drunk, speaking on their cell phones, speeding etc. They will also examine the conditions of the vehicles involved in the accident. All of the information the officer compiles will go into the police report. If a lawsuit is filed, the police report can be submitted as evidence and can be valuable if liability is questioned. If possible, it is a good idea to take your own personal photos of the vehicles involved and the accident scene.

If you are feeling any ill effects after the accident, it may be a good ideal to visit your family doctor or the emergency room. When speaking with a physician about your symptoms, use as much detail as possible. If you request copies of your medical records with respect to your injuries, make sure the records detail the type and severity of the injuries, the date and time of the visits and whether the doctor recommends any further treatment.

Finally, it may be advisable to consult with an experience personal injury lawyer. The attorney will advise you whether any settlement offers the insurance company makes are fair, and whether it may be appropriate to file a civil lawsuit. If litigation is recommended, make sure your personal injury lawyer has actual experience and a track record for success in the courtroom. Without actual success litigating cases, insurance companies will not offer fair settlements for your medical expenses because they know an inexperience attorney will not actually take a case to court. Also, be sure to read our other publications, including “22 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney,” and the “Personal Injury Victim’s Handbook.”

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Phone: (866) 632-8980

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