Auto Accidents

What to do following a car crash

It is important to contact an attorney at LEIP Law after you are involved in any auto accidents. But there are certain things you should remember to do and other things that are important to avoid in the wake of an accident. Here are some helpful hints to make sure you get the highest amount of compensation for your accident.

• File a police report – This is a key component to winning your case. Contacting the local authorities after an accident is a must, even if it is a minor accident without large-scale damage.
• Don’t accept any offers – An insurance company is going to try to get out of the situation quickly while paying out as little money as possible. Insurance companies may seem like they are helping you out, but an initial offer is usually just a way of trying to keep you from collecting a lot more compensation. You don’t have to accept any offer without talking to a personal injury lawyer first.
• Take pictures – The more proof you have, the better. Don’t hesitate to start snapping as many pictures as you can of the damage. This could be a big help in the future.
• No statements to insurance companies – An insurance company will try to get you to make a statement by using a seemingly friendly approach. Don’t be fooled by this facade. It is a way to dupe you into incriminating yourself. Don’t give them a statement when involved with auto accidents.

The common theme is that you should consult a car accident attorney before agreeing or signing anything. It is the safest move you can make after you are involved in auto accidents.

Seeking Professional Medical Attention

Very serious car accidents obviously involve immediate and ongoing medical attention. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid seeing a doctor for after an accident you might consider to be minor. There is always a chance you could incur injuries that take a little bit of time to develop. For example, the jolt of an accident could cause severe whiplash or even do damage to your back and neck. It is important to consult a medical professional after your car accident as it could be integral to your case. If you wait too long, you may not be able to prove your injuries were sustained in the accident. And that could completely derail your lawsuit.

There are lots of reasons that lead to auto accidents. Some are avoidable while others are not. If you have been injured in a car crash through no fault of your own, it could be for the following reasons:

• Driver drowsiness
• Weather conditions
• Faulty roads and potholes
• Tailgating
• Driver impairment
• Unsafe Lane changes
• Speeding
• Texting and driving

It is the job of a personal injury attorney to determine the extent of the responsibility for the guilty party. That helps develop the case and determines the approach that will be taken in order to receive compensation. At LEIP Law, we will reconstruct the scene of the accident and contact various experts to bolster your case. What may seem like a simple mistake on the part of the other driver could result in a wealth of compensation on your behalf.

The Legal Process For Injury

Every accident is different as there are a lot of personal circumstances that will have to be handled. For example, it is important to determine who is going to be held accountable. Individual drivers may be insured, uninsured or underinsured. That determines the approach that will be taken throughout your claim.

Some auto drivers are representatives of commercial companies. It’s not uncommon for a professional driver to cause an accident. In those instances, the actual company can be held liable for their driver’s negligence. That would also influence the way an attorney handles the case.

There are also accidents caused by people driving vehicles that belong to a government agency. When they are at fault, the government agency will have to claim responsibility for the accident and pay out compensation accordingly. Dealing with government agencies is also something best left to an experienced attorney.

The most common part of an auto accident claim is dealing with an insurance company ad should not be done on a personal level. There are many tactics used by insurance companies to get out of paying what they rightfully should to those injured in an accident. Their overall goal is to avoid an expensive payout and that could cause delays and prolong negotiations. And attorney at LEIP Law can help facilitate this process.

Different Types of Cases

No two accidents are the same as there are a lot of personal differences in the way these events transpire. Some of the deadliest and injurious type of accidents are head-on collisions which takes place when two vehicles collide with their front ends.

Side-impact collisions are also called broadside collisions and occur when a side of a vehicle is hit by another vehicle. Rollover accidents are often fatal and occur when a car tips over, sometimes rolling. Single car accidents do not typically warrant personal injury claims as it involves just one driver. Meanwhile, multi vehicle accidents can lead to lawsuits as it generally involves a significant amount of damage to a number of cars.

There is no limit to what a certain type of accident will get you in compensation. At LEIP Law, we take into consideration all the factors involved in an accident. We also openly welcome some of the tougher car accident cases as our experience, knowledge and past success allow us to put together formidable approaches to every case. Consulting one of our attorneys is the first step towards receiving compensation as we can get you started on this entire process.

To schedule your initial legal consultation, call (803) 799-9811, email teresa@leiplaw.com, or fill out our contact form.

Why you should hire a car accident lawyer

Even if the other motorist in your accident is insured, it is still a good idea to hire an attorney. The other motorist’s insurance company is not working for you and is, in fact, working against you. It is their goal to pay you as little as possible for your injuries and damages. Even when you are in the right, it can be a losing battle to take on an insurance company on your own. They are stocked with experienced attorneys who are well versed in handling all types of auto accident claims. That puts you at a tremendous disadvantage. You can level the playing field, however, by hiring an attorney who handles auto accidents.

Compensation for a car accident

When most people think of compensation that is given to car accident victims, it usually centers on money. There are a lot of ways, however, an accident can impact your life. Compensation also comes in the form of paying for physical therapy. A car accident could take away your ability to do simple tasks like mowing the lawn or even taking out the trash. This can be extremely frustrating as well as a huge inconvenience. Individual freedoms can be lost and they may also need to rely on others for simple tasks.

Victims of auto accidents may also be unable to work, and that means less income every week. Add in the fact that your vehicle may need to be repaired or replaced, and the inconveniences could quickly add up.  Therefore, an accident can be more damaging than most people anticipate. Hiring a LEIP Law attorney to help with your auto accident can be the first step in getting the compensation you need and deserve. The specifics of each case are different and victims may be entitled to a multitude of damages that come with their car accident claim. Some of those recoverable damages are as follows:

• Cost of rehabilitation
• Lost income and wages
• Medical expenses
• Inability to work at full earning capacity
• Severe emotional distress
• Decrease in quality of life
• Vehicle damage/ cost of repair

Distracted Driving Accidents

Many accidents are the result of a distracted driver. Even if there was no ill intent, distracted drivers may be held liable, which may lead to compensation for victims. Phones and mobile devices have become a major part of our lives, but still have no place when someone is driving. Auto crashes are often the result of texting and driving or talking on a mobile device while operating a vehicle. There are other instances, however, that lead to distracted driving and call for an auto accident claim. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Eating while driving
• Focusing on GPS system
• Adjusting music system
• Interacting with other passengers
• Looking in mirror or applying makeup

Every driver is expected to maintain their focus on the road when they are behind the wheel. A failure to do so risks other motorists and heightens the chances of an auto accident. A car accident lawyer at LEIP Law will investigate your accident to find proof when distracted driving was the cause.

It should also be noted that the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted a plethora of statistics on distracted driving. For example, using a cell phone reduces brain activity by up to 37%. Talking on the phone while driving increases the chance of an accident by four times while texting and driving increases those chances by a whopping 23%. These statistics contribute to the pool of proof that our accident lawyers can put together in your accident claim.

Hire an experienced accident lawyer

The team of attorneys at LEIP Law have been part of a wide-array of cases involving auto accidents. Part of our job is to gather testimony from law enforcement, witnesses, experts, physicians, and others who could provide pertinent information for your case. That allows us to put together a strategy best suited for your claim and a way of getting the maximum compensation. We never shy away from the most obstinate insurance companies who have developed reputations for issuing low settlements. Our goal is to get you all that you deserve as we will be by your side the entire way.

How much will my Car Accident Claim be worth?

There is no set amount that applies to every auto accident. The value depends upon the extent of your injuries, losses, damages and many other applicable issues. Hospital stays, rehab costs, and surgeries may also add to the value. Compensation may also account for future treatments and a potential loss in quality of life. If you require accommodations such as a wheelchair ramp installed in your home, then the compensation could possibly account for that as well.

Wrongful deaths resulting from a car accident may also come with sizeable compensation. In these instances, the loss of life will be taken into consideration when compensating the families of the deceased. This is never an easy time, which is why our attorneys conduct themselves with professionalism and compassion. We recognize the anguish of an auto crash when it results in the loss of life.

Protection of your rights

You should know your rights when involved in an auto accident. Insurance companies often take advantage of victims who are unaware of their rights. These tactics may lead victims to believe the insurance company is looking out for their best interest, although this is rarely the case. You should not talk with an insurance representative from another company following your car accident. An auto lawyer will fill you in on the specifics of your rights and also act on your behalf. So before you do anything, be sure to contact an attorney at LEIP Law and let us inform you of all your rights.

Contact Us Today For Your FREE Consultation With Our Experienced Professionals