F.A.Q.

Car Accident Legal Information

Car accidents involve insurance as well as personal injury law, so it is very important that victims of an auto accident contact a lawyer immediately. Personal injury attorneys will mediate between the persons involved in the accident and the insurance companies. A personal injury attorney will attempt to prove liability by preserving evidence and interviewing witnesses. Personal injury attorneys also ensure that you receive proper medical care, and document your injuries so that you receive full compensation.

Scene of the Car Accident

It is important to collect as much information as possible at the scene of a car accident. The following is a list of data that should be collected:

• Names and addresses of drivers, driver's licenses
• Names and addresses of passengers
• Names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses
• Names and addresses of registered owners of the vehicles
• Names of insurance companies, policy numbers
• Location of the car accident
• How the car accident occurred
• Did any of the drivers seem to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
• Injuries
• Damages to vehicles
• Names of police officers that responded to the scene
• Did anyone claim responsibility for the car accident?

Post-Car Accident

There are several things that you should do following a car accident. Your insurance company should be informed of the accident. A police report must be filed if any personal injury occurs or if damages to either vehicle exceed a certain amount - this varies from state, usually anywhere from $200-500. If you sustained any injuries in the car accident you must receive regular medical care. In addition, some states may require that you file a report with the Department of Motor Vehicles. In order to accomplish these things, it may be helpful to contact a personal injury attorney.

Compensation

Victims who have been injured in an auto accident are often entitled to compensatory damages. This will include compensation for lost wages, property damage, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. In cases where the car accident was caused by another party's reckless behavior, punitive damages may be recovered. Punitive damages can also be recovered when the accident or personal injury was caused by a defect in the vehicle.

No Fault vs. At Fault

Liability laws determining who pays for damages in an auto accident differ from state to state. Approximately half of the states in the U.S. have adopted "no fault" liability laws that make everyone involved in the car accident responsible for their own damages. In many states there are exceptions to these laws when someone sustains a serious personal injury or property damage exceeds a specific amount. The other half of the states in the U.S. have "at fault" liability laws that require the person who caused the car accident to pay damages for all parties involved.

Car Insurance

When you purchase car insurance you are purchasing both first party coverage, which covers you and your property, and third party coverage, which covers other people involved in the auto accident (either in your vehicle or other vehicles in the crash).

Different types of coverage can be purchased. Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle in the event of fire, theft, vandalism, and acts of nature. Collision coverage covers your vehicle in the event of an auto accident.

When you have been involved in car accident, your insurance company will require that you contact them in a timely matter. If you do not report an auto accident to your insurance company, they can attempt to deny coverage for the accident.

Car Accident Statistics

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 6 and 27.

In the year 1999:

• There were approximately 6,289,000 reported auto accidents in the U.S.
• About 3,200,000 people were injured in car accidents and 41,345 lost their lives
• 38% of car accident fatalities involved alcohol
• 4,695 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents
• 63% of car accident fatalities were attributed to passengers who were not wearing a seat belt.