Around 4.4 million people get injured in car crashes in the US every single year, and the number of fatalities sits at about 36,000. That means the chances you will become involved in a smash at some point are reasonably high. Considering that, it makes sense to understand as much as possible about common situations you might face, and the claim requirements to which you will need to adhere.
With that in mind, there is some information below that should shed some light on the situation. It should also put you in a better position. As with anything in this world, you often have to act fast and make sure you have all the info and evidence required for a successful claim as quickly as possible.
Tips for Choosing the Best Professional Representation
Many professional car accident claim lawyers are working in the industry today. Some will charge an upfront fee for their services; others are happy to create payment plans. There are even a few out there who might be willing to refrain from taking payment until you get your compensation award.
Still, you’ll need to conduct a lot of research to identify the best legal experts to fight in your corner. Ideally, you need to find a team of lawyers with years of experience and lots of successful compensation cases under their belts.
Read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to find out more about the services experts provide. If you do that, it should be easy to make an informed decision and start the ball rolling with the most suitable people.
Though, before starting the research, you must dig into the types of accidents as well as the claim requirements to help you choose the best possible legal representation for your case.
Common Types of Road Traffic Accidents
There are five common types of road traffic accidents that injury lawyers deal with every single day. Reading about them now should help you to work out which applies to your case.
- Vehicle rollover
- Single car accident
- Rear-end collision
- Side-impact collision
- Head-on collision
There are also plenty of common car accident injuries, depending on the type of accident itself. A vehicle rollover is when your car hits another automobile or something else on the road and then flips over. In most instances, it is possible to make a claim if the thing you hit wasn’t supposed to be there. For example, a truck might lose a spare tire in the middle of the road, and then you might smash into it. If that happens, you can claim against the truck driver or their employer.
It is unlikely you will manage to make a compensation claim for a single-car accident if no other vehicles were involved and you didn’t hit anything unusual on the road. Still, it’s worth speaking to lawyers just in case there is something they can do.
Read-end collisions usually mean you can make a claim unless the crash happened because you slammed on your bakes. In some instances, the smash is still the other driver’s fault because they should have been able to stop regardless.
Side-impact collisions are a little more complicated because it’s possible the blame could lay with either party involved. Depending on the particulars of your accident, there is a chance you could get compensation.
If you become involved in a head-on collision, it is likely you will want to go to court to seek compensation for your injuries and medical costs. However, working out who is to blame can often become a difficult task. If you find yourself in that situation, it is definitely sensible to seek professional representation as soon as possible.
Claim Requirements for Car Accident Cases
Anyone involved in a car accident who wishes to make a claim will need to satisfy the requirements mentioned in this section. Failing to do so could mean you lose in the courtroom, even when you should have been entitled to a compensation claim. That is why you must pay attention and ensure you cover all the bases.
Making a Claim for an Injury
If you plan to make a claim for an injury you suffered in the car accident, you will need to get hold of the following:
- Police reports
- Photographs
- Witness statements
- Medical certificates
- Receipts for medical bills
- Anything else you think might help
Ideally, you need as much information and evidence as possible to submit your claim and enable your lawyers to generate the highest compensation payment possible.
It’s not always easy to take photographs the moment after a crash on the road, but if you remember to do it, the images are sure to help your case.
Making a Claim for Death
If you were unlucky enough for someone to pass away as a result of the accident, you would want to make sure your claim is as watertight as possible. The last thing you want is for the guilty party to get away with their actions without having to pay out for your loved one. Considering that, you’ll need to gather the following:
- Police reports
- Death certificates
- Funeral receipts
- Burial receipts
- Medical certificates
- Marriage certificates (if the person was your spouse)
So long as you have access to all that information, and you can provide it to the courts upon request, you should have no issue working through your case. The lawyers you hire to represent you in the courtroom should also double-check you have all the essentials before filing their paperwork.
Without police reports, death certificates, and everything else mentioned, there is a chance your case will be unsuccessful. There is also a case you won’t get the level of payment for which you are entitled. That is why it’s vital that you cover all the bases and have all the info you need to hand at all times.
Now you know a little more about common car accident cases and the claim requirements you need to consider to get things off the ground, nothing should hold you back. You are entitled to compensation if you become involved in an accident that isn’t your fault, and you should always try to make a claim if you have lots of costs and expenses because of the crash. Get started today!