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Legal Guide Auto
Accidents
Do you consider
yourself a safe driver?
Accidents
happen to even the best drivers so be aware of the appropriate actions
you need to take before you are involved in an accident, at the scene and immediately
afterward. Legal hassles that arise from car or motorcycle collisions can be avoided
if you can keep your head and know what to do.
The best accidents
are the ones you can avoid. Most areas ban talking on cell phones
while driving because it increases your chances of having an accident.
It isn't just the law, it saves lives, so try turning off the
phone when you're behind the wheel. Avoid driving when you are
tired or on medication that may slow down your reactions. Make
sure to have a designated driver if you will be drinking. Keep
you car running properly. Have the tires, brakes and steering
checked on a regular schedule and check the fluid levels often.
What to
Do at the Scene of an Auto Accident
There
are simple steps to reducing injuries if you are involved in an accident. Keeping
your speed down and buckling your seat belts are easy ways to improve your chances
of escaping from an accident unharmed. Did
you know that most accidents happen just a short distance from the driver's home?
So, if you skip the seat belt because you're only driving to the store... you're
increasing the probability that you'll be injured if you do get hit by another
car.
It is a good
idea to make a police report at the scene of any accident. If
possible, get the names and contact details of people who saw
what happened. Always exchange insurance insurance information
whether or not it seems necessary. Few drivers are clear headed
after an accident and you or your car may have sustained damage
that is not noticed until later.
What NOT
to Say
If
you are involved in an auto accident, whether you feel that it's your fault or
not, don't make any admissions of guilt at the scene. Be honest about what happened
when you speak to the other driver or the police, but stick to the facts. Many
drivers are rattled, even by a minor accident. Often drivers will get out of their
cars apologizing and accepting the blame for what happened, whether or not it
actually was their fault. Like
an argument, it usually takes two to cause an accident. You can't know what the
other driver was doing that may have contributed to the events. If it seems that
you did something or didn't do something that created the situation, you'll be
surprised to know that most drivers feel that way when they hit something. You
may not have applied the brakes in time to avoid a collision, but the other driver
may have been going too fast. A slower moving car would have given you a little
more time to react and the accident would not have happened. You only know that
you didn't stop in time. The report you give should be unemotional, clear and
factual. There are courts and lawyers to sort out where the responsibility lies.
When you
have a chance to rerun the scene in your mind after you calm down,
you may remember details that make it clear you did not cause
the accident. If you admit that the accident was your fault in
the police report, you make it difficult for your lawyer to argue
your case if it comes to that.
More about
auto accidents around the Web
On
the Web, check out helpful guides to what to say & do in the event of an accident,
what information to gather at the scene, how to file a claim or damage report,
your rights under U.S. state law, plus additional information on typical everyday
car accidents - and how best to avoid them ... Proving
Fault in Vehicle Accidents - Good advice from nolo.com on how to obtain
police reports, knowing your rights under state law, a discussion on rear-end
collisions and left-turn accidents, plus related links to general personal liability
guides. Auto
Accidents & the Law - Advice from the South Carolina State Bar Association
with common sense advice that applies anywhere, including stopping at the scene,
filing accident and damage reports, taking notes and information, and featuring
a handy, printable accident report form you can store in your glove compartment. The
ARC Network - Automobile Accident Fraud - Reporting on the evil afoot
on highways involving unscrupulous drivers - who intentionally cause accidents
in order to collect from insurance companies - and how to avoid them, what to
do if you become involved, plus a great list of related links to learn more. Auto
Accident Claims - Author of an expert book on the subject and providing
lots of free info on what to do in the event of an accident, with insider tips
on negotiations and how to avoid bringing lawyers into the crash settlement equation. Auto
Accidents - What If?
- A good summary of how to avoid car accidents, plus a good checklist of tips
and best practices, related do's and don'ts, and personal stories of actions not
taken at the scene and later regretted... Automobile
& Motorcycle Accidents - Good overview of what actions to take in
the event of an accident, time limits on filing claims, along with an in-depth
look at facts on front and back-end collisions, side impacts, tractor - trailer
accidents. NHTSA
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - More about prevention
rather than legal help, but may save you lots of headaches down the road - with
pages of info on the latest child passenger safety and seating, crash tests and
statistics, rollover information, recalls and more. also
see related article - Road
Rage? Have a Mint, Study Shows
also
see -> Crime
Victim Support | Drunk
Driving Laws
How
to Fight a Traffic Ticket | Police
& Law Enforcement
The information provided on these pages is intended as reference only and
does not constitute professional legal advice.
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