Car Accidents
What are the most common types of car accidents?
When you are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, professional guidance is a major advantage. The most important advice we can give anyone injured in a car accident is to meet with an experienced car accident lawyer. The difference between being represented by someone who knows the ins and outs of a potential car accident claim and being self-represented can be massive. It can make all the difference between you receiving the compensation you deserve for your injuries and receiving nothing or being put in a significantly worse position than you were in before the accident.
Here are the most common types of motor vehicle accidents to look out for:
Rear-end collisions: This occurs when a vehicle hits the car in front of it. Rear-end collisions usually happen when the vehicle in front suddenly stops or slows down too rapidly, or when the car behind speeds up too quickly.
Side-impact collisions: Also known as a T-bone collision, this type of accident refers to the side of one vehicle getting hit by either the front or rear of another vehicle. These accidents can cause serious damage, as occupants or the driver are often fairly unprotected.
Sideswipe accidents: This happens when a car makes an impact with either another vehicle moving in the same direction or hits a fixed object. Usually, sideswipe accidents only result in property damage.
Rollover accidents: A rollover accident happens when a vehicle flips onto its side or onto its roof, typically due to a driver taking too sharp a turn at an unadvisable speed.
Head-on collisions: These are the most deadly accidents when the front ends of two cars collide or when the front end of one vehicle hits a fixed object. Head-on collisions are the most likely type of auto accident to be fatal.
Should I wait to see a doctor after a minor fender-bender?
After sustaining injuries in a car accident, the worst thing you can do is wait and hope that things will resolve themselves. Sometimes injuries don't appear immediately after an accident.
Under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) rules, you only have 14 days to seek medical help before your insurance company is no longer required to pay. To receive PIP medical benefits, you must obtain initial services and care within 14 days after the motor vehicle accident. PIP medical benefits are generally not payable if you don't receive qualifying initial services and care within 14 days.
The sooner a personal injury firm can start investigating your case, the more likely it is that we will be able to obtain the compensation you deserve while providing guidance on what constitutes qualifying medical care under PIP rules. Because we focus on injury suits and insurance claims, our firm has a successful track record in all kinds of motor vehicle accidents.
Should I call a lawyer even if I was in a minor accident?
Accident injuries don't always appear immediately. If you are involved in a minor accident without injuries, you might think it doesn't require legal assistance. In reality, you should still consult a car accident lawyer. This is even more important if the accident involved injuries, damage, or disputed fault. Also, many insurance companies will try to contact accident victims immediately after an accident and try to induce them to settle their claim before they consult a lawyer. These insurance companies are acting in their own best interest, not yours, no matter how nice they may seem. A lawyer can help work through the claims process, fight on your behalf for a fair settlement, and protect your rights. Always call a lawyer before you file a car accident claim.
How should I document my car accident injuries?
Take photos or videos of your injuries as soon as you can after the crash and continue to document them as they heal. Save all medical records, documents, and receipts related to your treatment. A detailed journal recording your pain levels, mobility concerns, and how the injuries change your daily life can also be helpful.
What compensation can I receive for a car accident?
Compensation might include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In major cases, you may also be entitled to compensation for long-term disability or loss of quality of life. Each case is unique, so compensation will vary.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
If the other driver is uninsured, you could file a claim through your own uninsured or underinsured motorists' coverage if you have it. Alternatively, you may need to sue the driver personally, though collecting compensation can be challenging. Partnering with a lawyer can help you review your options.
UM insurance coverage applies in several situations:
When the at-fault driver has no insurance
When they carry bodily injury coverage, but the limits can't fully compensate you
In hit-and-run accidents and phantom vehicle cases, where the other driver is never identified
What should I do after a hit-and-run accident?
Report the accident to the police immediately and provide them with as much information as you can about how the crash occurred. Include any details you have about the other vehicle and driver. Check for witnesses or surveillance cameras that may have captured the accident. Your uninsured motorist coverage could cover your damages if the other driver is not found. Kobren Law has experience successfully investigating and handling these types of hit-and-run car accident cases.