Car accidents are scary and can be traumatizing. Even if you walk away from the accident with little to no injuries, you can still be haunted by the incident as expenses pile up in the following months. Over six million car accidents occur in the United States each year. Fortunately, the majority of these accidents result in property damage and damage to the vehicles involved. About one in three car accidents result in personal injuries from the impact of the car crash and fatalities can occur at the time of the collision. If you or a loved one are in a car accident, there are some ways you can protect yourself and those around you. If you are involved in a car accident, contact our Maryland car accident attorney today.
What to do After a Car Accident
You must never drive away from the scene. Whether you are the driver of the vehicle in the collision or a bystander, it is crucial that you stay at the scene to call for help if needed and make a statement. It is also important that you put your flashers on if it is nighttime to alert other drivers on the road. Even if there are no serious injuries, you should still call the police. You may not believe you have an injury due to stress and shock after the accident. Oftentimes, drivers will notice that they have suffered a head or neck injury days after the accident occurred. It is for this reason that you see a doctor immediately if you have any pain or worsening symptoms of a head or neck injury.
Oftentimes, a police report is needed to file a claim or press charges against the driver at fault for the collision. Maryland is an at-fault state, which means that the driver liable for the accident has to pay for any damages or medical bills that result from the collision. Any vehicles that are involved in the collision should stay put. It is important that photographs are taken of the scene and of any damages to each vehicle. This information can be used in court to determine the amount of compensation one receives for their loss. A police officer asks you the following questions: when and where did the accident occur? What was the weather like when the accident occurred? Did you see the accident happen? How many vehicles were involved in the collision? Where were you when the accident occurred?
It is important to remain informed and in contact with those who were involved in the car accident. If you are safe and have no injuries after the accident, make sure you get the other driver’s information. This information should include their names, address, home phone number, mobile phone number, make and model of the vehicles, the year the vehicle was made, insurance company name, agent name and policy number, and any complaints of pain or injuries. It is in your best interest to have the witnesses’ phone numbers and emails if you want to build a case against the driver at fault for the collision. These witnesses could testify in court and help enhance the case.
Staying calm is hard, but necessary after a collision. You may be feeling a combination of emotions at once. You may feel scared, but also, angry at the driver at fault or yourself. It is important to not make any comments about how the crash occurred and who is at fault at the scene. You do not have the right to determine who is at fault; it is up to the insurance company and police. Any comments made at the scene can be used against you in court. Contact our Baltimore car accident attorneys for a free consultation.
What to Avoid After a Car Accident
Something you should never do after a car accident is given a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Furthermore, you should not give a statement to investigators, employees, or representatives for the insurance company of the car that crashed into yours. If you have the same insurance company as the driver at fault, you will want to give a statement to the adjuster that is handling your claim. This may seem confusing. To navigate your way through a car accident case in Maryland, call Rice, Murtha, and Psoras Trial Lawyers today.
Insurance companies will try to manipulate you to ensure that they do not have to give a large payout for compensation. Seeking professional help from an attorney can save you from being manipulated by insurance companies. At Rice, Murtha, and Psoras, you have your best interest in mind. We will research and look at the facts of the car accident case and negotiate a fair settlement. After a car accident in Maryland, you have three years from the date of the collision to file a claim. Attorney offices get phone calls asking for help when it is too late. It is important to act on the claim as soon as possible to receive the compensation you deserve. Call our Ocean City car accident attorneys today.