In 2013, over 32,000 people died as a result of a car accident in the US – this is approximately 90 deaths a day. In 2015, 32,166 fatal motor vehicle crashes occurred in the country, in which there were 35,092 deaths. This means that there were 10.9 fatalities per 100,000 people and 1.13 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled.
FAQs About Car Accident Claims
With so many car accidents occurring each year, more and more people are asking questions about car accident claims. Here is a look at some of the most common questions:
Q: What is the first thing I should do after an auto accident?
A: Whether you have suffered an injury or not, the first thing you should do after a car accident is to immediately seek medical attention. Even if there are no visible injuries, you should still see a medical professional. In some cases, there may be internal injuries or other injuries that do not show their symptoms immediately. If you are going to make a car accident claim, you will need medical records to show that the car accident was directly responsible for your injuries.
Q: Can I still file a claim even if the accident was my fault?
A: This depends on the laws in your state. The law on whether you can recover any injury or damages from a motor vehicle accident you caused will vary from state to state and whether the state considers fault in the recovery of specific damages. If your state does not consider fault, your no-fault policy might allow you to be paid for economic losses.
Even if the fault is considered in your state, you might still be able to recover damages for your injury if the accident’s other party was also at fault. Since laws vary from one state to another, you should seek legal counsel in your state to determine the legal rights you have.
Q: How do I find out how much my case is worth?
A: It is difficult to determine the actual value of your case until all the information regarding the nature and extent of your injuries is collected. Other factors include the cost of your medical bills, the total amount of lost wages due to your injury, the extent of damage to your vehicle, and last but not least, how permanent your injuries may be.
Unfortunately, there is no mathematical formula that can be used to determine the value of a personal injury case. Once all the necessary information is collected, you can consult a personal injury attorney to find out the amount you should demand in your claim.
Q: Is it necessary to go to court?
A: No. Not every car accident claim ends up in litigation. In many cases, claims are settled before an actual lawsuit is even filed. Of the filed claims, a lot of them end with a settlement without the need to go to trial. However, if your claim cannot be resolved at a satisfactory amount, it may be necessary to go to trial.
Q: What are my options if I cannot afford an attorney?
A: Many law firms take on personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means that you pay your attorney a fee only if you win or your case is settled. Some law firms also pay all expenses that are related to your auto accident case.
These are just a few of the questions people ask after being injured in an automobile accident. If you have any more questions, you can always contact a professional car accident attorney.
If you or somebody you know has been grievously injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you should immediately seek the help of the lawyers at Hardesty, Tyde, Green, Ashton & Clifton, P.A. Contact us at 904-414-4906 for a free consultation.
Additional Reading:
What constitutes a personal injury?
The most common personal injury is an auto accident, but the broad definition encompasses any situation where a person suffers harm due to the negligence of another person or entity. Early identification of a personal injury is important to the legal process. Many serious injuries occur each year involving:
– Auto accidents
– Premises liability accidents such as injuries caused by a slip and fall
– Medical malpractice/nursing home injuries
– Wrongful death
– Work-related accidents
– Animal attacks
– Faulty or malfunctioning products (product liability)