Legal Insights for Road Accident Victims
The statistics, regardless of the country, usually show staggering numbers when it comes to road-related accidents. If we include the number of victims who sustained mild to serious injuries, those figures quadruple and show high mortality rates. The open road carries with it many dangers. From reckless drivers to sleepy ones, from those operating a vehicle that is not according to safety measures and regulations to those simply being careless about basics such as the tire pressure and brake system, accidents have become a common occurrence. If you happen to be a victim, if you’ve been involved in an accident of this kind and you suffered serious or even mild injuries, you’re entitled to certain rights. Often, victims are only satisfied with being alive, and although it’s the greatest blessing and gift after being involved in an accident, there are many things to consider in the aftermath. From medical bills and costs to lost wages and insurance. In the text below, we’ll discuss some legal insights for victims of road accidents.
The Steps You Should Take Afterwards
There are a few steps to take immediately after the accident to ensure your innocence and to later on have a strong case for the insurance company to claim the needed compensation. As none of us plans to ever become involved in a road accident, we often don’t have the slightest idea of what to do or the steps to take. The first thing is to ensure safety and seek medical attention. If you happen to sustain only mild injuries, you’ll need to ensure the safety of the scene and help the other person in the other vehicle as well. You’ll need to call the police and an ambulance immediately and seek medical help and attention, as under adrenaline, people often don’t feel anything and believe they’re fine, while at the same time, you might have internal bleeding or even a mild concussion. While at the scene, gather as much evidence as possible, take photos of the scene, and don’t forget the medical report and eyewitness statements, as they’ll all help you build a strong case later on.
Proving Liability
Liability is often defined as the legal responsibility of another person to take the needed actions to ensure their safety and the safety of everyone else. In other words, proving liability means the person didn’t act according to their legal obligations and responsibilities and put you and them in danger by not adhering to the safety regulations of the road. They might have had a malfunction in their vehicle, which they probably did or didn’t know about but should have taken care of. In such a scenario, you can prove liability by advocating how the person neglected regular maintenance schedules, as the malfunction could have been prevented. Maybe they fell asleep due to exhaustion or were simply crossing the speed limit.
Especially in the case of truck drivers, there is a limit to how many hours they can drive without taking a break. If you’ve been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, as the experts at Paul Knopf Bigger explain, you’re entitled to legal compensation and have the right to file a lawsuit with the help of an attorney. But, given that liability is a common cause of truck-related accidents, often their insurance companies will fight hard to prove their innocence and you’ll need to stand your ground and, with the help of a good attorney, prove your complete lack of involvement in the accident and how it had nothing to do with you.
Insurance Claims
As we said, for the insurance claims, besides proving liability and someone’s negligence and how that directly affected the accident and your injuries, you’ll have to prepare all the paperwork and make sure you have the necessary documentation by your side at all times. You’ll have to make sure all the necessities are there, you’ll have to keep everything safe, and, of course, be prepared for a fight, as it might not go as smoothly as you might want it to. Provide accurate and detailed information, but be cautious about recorded statements and signing documents without fully understanding them. And one more piece of advice: never go for the first offer they give you during the initial stage of the negotiations, as naturally, most insurance companies will try to minimize payout and avoid giving you more. So, think about it and don’t do anything without your lawyer.
Seeking Legal Help
As we said before, you’ll need to hire a good lawyer, as they’ll help you with the negotiations and compensation claims and give you professional advice on what to do and how to act next. Your lawyer is your best friend when it comes to these situations and they’ll give you a comprehensive guide on what steps to take and how to act without causing too much trouble to yourself. The right legal counseling can help you navigate the complex system, from gathering the right evidence to filing all the needed documentation to simply getting the compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitation
The statute of limitations means your claim can be outdated if you wait too long to make it. After a certain period, if you haven’t filed a complaint or made any form of a lawsuit, the accident, and the aftermath can become outdated in the eyes of the law, meaning you’ll walk away from the whole thing without having the right to seek compensation. With the help of a professional lawyer, this can be avoided, as they’ll give you instructions on how to act and when to act, how to complain, and when to file the complaints. All in all, you’ll need to act fast and not prolong the inevitable, as you’ll lose your chance at seeking your rightful compensation and what they owe you. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove the accident, the liability factors, and whose fault it was.
Your legal rights are always guaranteed and with the help of a professional, you can claim them at any given moment and seek the compensation you deserve. It’s important to know the steps you’ll have to take immediately and the rights you have so you can achieve your goal.