Ensuring Your Rights After a Car Accident on Dangerous Roads
After suffering severe injuries in a car accident on dangerous roads, many people find it difficult to know what to do next. You are still in shock from the accident’s impact and you’re not sure how you might best support your possible claim. Nevertheless, you must adhere to some measures right after the accident if you want to file a claim or lawsuit. This way, you will increase your chances of winning and securing maximum compensation to mitigate the consequences of this traumatic event and protect your rights.
Move to safety
If the accident happens in the center of the road, you and everyone else are in danger of being hit by passing cars. So, it is important to pull over to the side of the road. You and others should get out of the car and wait for the road to be completely clear so that you can move to the safe side. That way, no one can hurt you, even if the accident happens on a crowded and dangerous roadway.
Information to exchange
Regardless of your feelings, you must communicate with the other person involved to gather important information that can help you support your claim later on. This information includes the following:
- Driver’s license of the other person
- Their insurance company’s contact information
- Their contact information
- The witnesses’ contact information
Your insurance company and legal team will use all of this information to strengthen your case.
Seek legal help
You should consult an attorney to better understand your rights and important next steps. An attorney is well-versed and familiar with all the sneaky strategies that insurance companies use to reduce your compensation, and they will successfully prepare for what’s to come and advocate on your behalf. Just as this renowned Macon car accident lawyer explains, attorneys deal with similar cases almost every day, so they can protect their clients from all these strategies and will fight to protect their rights. Lawyers will also guide you through the complex legal aspects of your case and inform you of all important deadlines you need to respect.
Report the accident
You should notify both the police and your insurance company about the accident. This way, you can get immediate assistance at the scene of the event. Blocking traffic, relocating cars to the side of the road, and obtaining medical assistance are all tasks that police officers can help with. Also, the first step in submitting an insurance claim is to notify your provider. Your insurance company will initiate contact with the other party’s provider to ascertain the further steps.
Get medical help
If you need medical assistance immediately after the accident, don’t forget to mention that to the authorities. To begin the healing process, the paramedic can offer medical assistance right away. If you’re hurt in the accident but don’t feel sick, you should see a doctor or emergency department, as you never know what kind of injuries you have suffered and whether they are more serious than you think. Start the therapy you need with the support of medical professionals. Additionally, you can get medical documents that will be useful when trying to get compensation. Your medical records can prove that the other party’s carelessness caused your injuries.
Gather important evidence
If you want to prove that your accident was caused by dangerous conditions on the road, you must collect relevant evidence. Remember to document any road hazards, such as potholes, poorly placed signs, malfunctioning traffic lights, etc. The testimony of eyewitnesses is also crucial. You can strengthen your case that dangerous road conditions were the direct cause of your accident by speaking with witnesses and getting their testimonies in writing. You should also gather additional information such as medical records, repair invoices, expert views, and police reports. You may show that your accident was caused by dangerous road conditions by presenting all of this evidence in court. As a result, you can be sure that the careless driver or other responsible party will pay for your medical bills and property damage you have sustained.
Who is responsible for keeping roads safe?
The specific conditions dictate which government organization is responsible for road maintenance. For example, the government may be responsible for informing drivers and pedestrians of an unsafe state on the road if they are aware of it. Similarly, they are responsible to fix or treat the situation if they are aware that there is a substantial risk of damage. You need to show that the hazardous road condition was the direct cause of your injuries. If you have been in a car accident and want to sue a government agency for damages, choose a lawyer who is familiar with the laws of your state to help you construct a solid case. They will investigate the matter and advise you on how to proceed with a claim.
Dangerous road conditions
There are many potential dangers that drivers may encounter on the road. These include broken or missing lamps, uneven pavement, rubbish on the road, big gaps in the pavement or walkways, a lack of signage to warn of hazardous turns, and objects sticking out onto the roadway. Also, vehicles and pedestrians are at risk when water accumulates on roadways due to faulty drainage systems. Tree pruning and brushing near roadways are examples of routine maintenance that must be done to improve visibility and reduce the chances of accidents. Also, people can be hurt because of outdated traffic lights that don’t show the right time to cross. The municipalities must be alert to hazardous driving conditions and act accordingly to reduce the chances of accidents.
A personal injury lawsuit is available to you if you or someone you know have sustained injuries as a result of dangerous road conditions and negligent driving. These circumstances can significantly increase the risk of accidents, car damage, and severe injuries. If the government is careless in maintaining safe road conditions and someone is hurt because of it, they may pay for the damages. It is, nevertheless, important to know how to protect your rights and what steps to take if you are injured in a car accident.