What to do Immediately After a Car Accident
The steps that you take in the immediate aftermath of an accident are important for protecting your rights, including contacting the best Phoenix car accident lawyer. Many people who are injured in accidents are overwhelmed and do not know what to do. Continue reading below to learn what to do after an accident and the process of receiving the most compensation for your injuries.
You should never leave the scene of an injury accident. Even if the accident was not your fault, you could be criminally charged if you leave the scene before the police arrive. Call 911 to report the accident and stay at the scene. Check yourself, your passengers, and people in the other vehicle for injuries.
Exchange information with the other driver, making certain to write down his or her name, contact information, registration information, and insurance information. If you can, photograph the driver’s license plate, driver’s license, insurance card, and registration paperwork. If the driver is belligerent, stay in your car until the police arrive and ask them to get the information for you. Never accept blame or say that the accident was your fault.
When the police arrive, tell them what happened in the moments leading up to the accident. If you have noticed any signs that the other driver may be under the influence, tell the officer so that the driver can be tested. Even if you believe that you have not been injured, you should still seek medical attention after an accident. If the officer asks if you have been injured, simply tell him or her that you want to see a doctor.
Car Accident – The steps that you take in the immediate aftermath of an accident are important for protecting your rights, including contacting the best Chandler car accident lawyer. Many people who are injured in accidents are overwhelmed and do not know what to do. Continue reading below to learn what to do after an accident and the process of receiving the most compensation for your injuries.
Car Accident – Drunk Driver – Have you or someone you love been injured in an accident that involved a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs? If you have, then it is essential to understand that DUI accidents caused by an impaired driver are a serious crime that puts over 112 million people at risk each year. When a person combines poor decision-making skills with a hazardous habit, it can and will call severe accidents and potentially the death of another person.
Commercial & Semi-Truck Accidents – Getting into an accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler can be very traumatizing for everyone involved. If you have recently been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle in the state of Arizona, you are going to need the professional experience of a Chandler semi-truck accident attorney. Your attorney will be able to help you receive compensation for your injuries and damages done to your commercial vehicle.
Public Transportation Accidents – You may think that public transportation is always safe. However, contrary to popular belief, in many cases, for those sharing the road with public transport, it is not always that safe. Over the years, there have been numerous accidents that involve mass transit, such as a Chandler city bus accident or school bus accident. But, who do you sue when a form of public transportation hits you? And, how can you claim damages when a city bus injures you on the road?
Motorcycle Accident Injuries – Very few things in life are as scary as being in a motorcycle accident. Whether you in a passenger vehicle, or on a motorcycle, the experience can be very nerve-wracking and disturbing. Sadly, there is a long list of reasons why motorcycle accidents happen.
Slip & Fall Injury – In the state of Arizona, it is a common occurrence to sustain injuries in a slip and fall accident. In a variety of slip and fall claims, there is a negative stigma that dreadfully follows you after filing your claim. The injuries you sustain from this type of accident are normally severe and will cause you to become unable to work or perform your daily responsibilities. The number of people involved in slip and fall accidents a year is hundreds to even thousands. One-third of adults over the age of 65 fall at least once within a year’s time.
Premises Injury Liability – In short, premises liability means and refers to owners, or occupiers, of a property, are responsible for the well-being of individuals that are on their property. If you’ve been injured due to an Arizona property owner’s carelessness, you might have grounds to file a premises liability civil lawsuit against the property owner for negligence.
Traumatic Brain Injury – Traumatic Brain Injuries can be one of the most life-threatening injuries to someone that has been in an auto accident, fall, or other types of incidents where a sudden impact on the head has occurred. This is why it is extremely important that anyone who has sustained a head injury get medical assistance right away!
Bicycle Accident Injury – In Chandler, Arizona, many people choose to ride bicycles as a form of recreation or for transportation to their schools or workplaces. Arizona’s year-round warmth allows residents to enjoy riding bikes throughout the year. You can also enjoy numerous health benefits from riding your bicycle.
Dog Bite Injury – When a dog bite attack happens, it can change the victim’s life permanently in just a matter of seconds. When you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a dog, it can happen almost anywhere including public areas, a friend’s home, or even while you are out for your morning jog.
Swimming Pool Accidents – In Arizona, accidental drowning is one of the most devastating types of accidents a family can experience. It only takes a few moments for a family’s future to be permanently changed because of a swimming pool accident.
Workplace Injuries – Arizonans who are injured while they are working at their jobs are entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits from their employers’ workers’ compensation insurance policies. However, they generally waive their rights to file lawsuits against their employers when they suffer a work injury in exchange for the availability of workers’ compensation benefits.
Wrongful Death – Losing a loved one can be devastating. It can be more overwhelming when your loved one’s death was caused by the intentional or negligent actions of others. It is possible to hold the person or company that caused your loved one’s death accountable by filing a wrongful death civil lawsuit.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Texting While Driving is a Common Cause of Car Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are common occurrences in Arizona and result in thousands of injuries and fatalities each year. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that in 2018 alone, 127,056 crashes were reported to law enforcement in the state. Out of those crashes, 28.73% resulted in injuries and 0.72% resulted in fatalities, injuring 53,376 people and killing 1,010. More needs to be done to reduce the number of accidents. According to a report from the Center for Internet & Society at Stanford Law School, 90% of car accidents are caused at least in part by human error.
When people cause crashes because of negligence, the seriously injured victims or the family members of those who are killed have a right to file civil wrongful death lawsuits to recover damages for their losses.
Car accidents commonly result from the negligence of one or both drivers. Some of the common types of negligent acts that can lead to accidents include the following:
Speeding
Driving too fast for conditions
Aggressive driving
Following too close
Failing to notice that traffic has slowed in front of a vehicle
Inattentive driving
Failing to notice oncoming motorcyclists when turning left onto a highway
Drunk or drugged driving
Drowsy driving
Improper lane changes
Failing to obey traffic control devices
Defective tires or other car parts to blame
Inadequate maintenance and repairs
Poorly maintained roads
Some motor vehicle accidents result from multiple causes. At Hutzler Law, our legal team conducts thorough investigations into the causes of accidents. This helps us to identify all of the defendants that should be named in our clients’ lawsuits, providing more recovery sources to help our clients receive fair compensation for their loses.
The legal team at Hutzler Law has the requisite skills and experience to handle all types of personal injury claims in Arizona. We understand how to deal with insurance companies and have the legal knowledge to advocate for your rights. Our goal is to recover maximal compensation for your injuries so that you can be made whole.
We also help injured accident victims with medical treatment costs and medical liens so that they will not have to deal with out-of-pocket expenses while they are waiting for their settlements or jury verdicts.
Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Hutzler Law to learn more about your rights by calling us at (602) 345-1981 or by submitting your information on our contact form. We offer free 30-minute case evaluations so that you can learn about your legal options from an experienced personal injury attorney.