Car Accident Injury Claims- More Accidents More Claims

Population in the universe is in the raise every year, so is the increase of cars, driving license holders, accidents and car accident injury claims. Increase in cars eventually places people in danger with the fast moving and congested traffic. Ultimate result is frequent car accidents, damages, injuries and losses. Inevitable net consequence is drastic increase in car accident injury claims.

No two car accidents are similar, they are unique in nature. Car crash, car wreck and car collision are some of types of car accidents. Further, collision with another car or any other vehicle, lamp post, trees or buildings takes place when the driver looses control over his vehicle. Car accidents are also named as road traffic accidents, traffic collisions, auto accidents, road accidents, motor vehicle accidents and personal injury collisions. Whatever is the name or type of accident, it is the car accident injury claims that play the important role of getting the benefit of compensation to the victim. Car accidents occur owing to a range of reasons like bad road design, vehicle design, under maintained vehicles or driver behaviors.

Car accident injuries affect various parts of the human body. Some of serious injuries are head injuries that may damage the brain, neck injury may result in whiplash injury, back injury that may damage cervical discs and injury to limbs. Car accident injury claim can be made for any of these car accident injuries. However injury claim can be made for minor injuries that also do take place in car accidents.

Insurance for all vehicles are compulsory and the injured has every right for a compensation claim, hence the suffered person should pursue car accident injury claim without any hesitation. Injury claim not only covers the personal injury to the sufferer it also covers loss of income if any because of accident, repair charges of damaged car, hiring charges of replacement car, compensation for pain and suffering resulted in the accident and medical expenses incurred for treatment of injury.

It is important to collect details of evidence for a successful accident injury claim. Most important is to exchange details like name, address, telephone number, car insurance details of accident involved cars and insurance policy number with the opponent. If a witness is available collect his name address and other contact details, photograph of the accident scene if possible, sketch of accident location and any other details that could support as evidence. These details will establish that the accident was due to opponent's fault and help to pursue the car accident injury claims to get maximum benefit.

Pursuing injury claim is a complicated process involving legal procedures. These procedures need to be handled meticulously and followed for a successful claim. Hiring a solicitor who is a specialist in car accident injury claims will be the best option to deal with the case. Preferably entering into a 'no win no fee' contract with the lawyer will be more beneficial. Even though the solicitor give full confidence of winning the case, in the event of the opponent layer outwits, the case may be lost. Under such circumstances also there will not be any lawyer's fee.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/car-accident-injury-claims-more-accidents-more-claims-360774.html

The Secrets To Protecting Yourself After You Have A Car Accident

by: Gary E Rosenberg

No one plans to have an accident. But, you can be prepared if one should happen.

1. Before you have an accident, keep an emergency kit in your glove compartment. Drivers should carry a cell phone,as well as a pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries. A set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk.

2. If you have an accident: Stop. Do not drive away from the scene! You can be charged with "hit and run" even if the accident wasn't your fault if it involves a pedestrian, a moving car, or even a parked car or someone's property.

3. Move vehicles to safety. Make every effort to prevent further accidents. You may be liable for damages to approaching vehicles unless they are properly warned. Do not move your car too far. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles, if possible. If your car can't be driven, have the emergency responders call a tow truck. Get the name, address and telephone number of the towing company and, if you can, find out where it is taking your car.

4. Move people to safety. Check for injuries. Everyone who can walk should move to safety.

5. Call for help. As soon as you can get to a telephone, call 911. Explain the situation and give the exact location of the accident, so that help can arrive quickly. Be sure to mention whether you need an ambulance or a fire engine. Don't hang up until the operator tells you it is okay to.

6. Cooperate with the authorities. In New York State if you are involved in a vehicle accident causing injury to person or property, you are required to stop and give your name, address, and show your driver's license and insurance identification card to the person who is injured or whose property is damaged, or to a police officer. If such information isn't available at the scene of the accident, it must be given to the nearest police station or judicial officer as soon as possible. Be sure to cooperate with the police officer investigating the case. But,stick to the facts. For instance, if you were driving 30 miles an hour, say so. Do not say, "I wasn't speeding."

7. Tell the police the truth. Follow police instructions carefully. Note the officer's name and precinct number, command, or barracks. Ask how you can get a copy of the police accident report.

8. But don't admit fault. Do not volunteer any information about who was to blame for the accident. You may think you are in the wrong and then learn that the other driver is as much or more to blame than you are. You should first talk to your insurance agent, your lawyer, or both. Anything you say to the police or the other driver can be used against you later. Do not agree to pay for damages or sign any paper except a traffic ticket until you check with your insurance company or lawyer.

9. Document what happened. Make a note of the details of the accident, including date and time, road conditions, weather conditions and speed of all other cars involved. It also is a good idea to draw a diagram of the accident showing the position and direction of the cars justprior to and after the accident: make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color and the exact location of the collision and how it happened.

10. Take photographs. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. (Use a cell phone's camera if you have nothing else.) Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident. Take your own photographs even if the police take photographs or you believe that your mechanic or insurance company will take them.

Photograph: (a) any broken parts, inside or outside the vehicle such as dashboard, windshield, seat, broken glass or lenses, bumper that fell off, etc.; (b) vehicle license plates; (c) skid marks; (d) street signs; and, (e) injuries to persons involved in the accident. Take the photos from different angles and positions. Take more photographs than you think you'll need. ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE WATCH FOR TRAFFIC.

11. Exchange information. Exchange the following information after the accident: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, take down the name and address for each individual. If possible, obtain the names of the insurance companies and the policy numbers covering the other autos in the accident. In New York State, it's the law to carry an insurance policy information card in every vehicle. These cards can be your source for such information.

12. Get witness information. If there are witnesses, try to get their names, addresses and telephone numbers; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened. Request that they talk to the police before leaving. If they refuse to identify themselves, jot down the license plate numbers of their automobiles. Do not discuss the accident with the witnesses. Do not give their names to anyone but the police, your attorney or your insurance company.

13. Report to your insurance company. Remember to call your insurance company or insurance broker immediately after the accident. Don't forget to send written notice to your insurance company as soon as possible. The notice should include the time, place and circumstances of the accident. If you fail to notify your insurance company of the accident in writing within a reasonable time, this could be grounds for the company's denying any obligation to protect your interests in the event a claim is made against you. Also, make sure your report contains the names of all injured persons and drivers and the names of all available witnesses.

14. Report to Albany. The law requires that the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident in New York State in which a person is killed or injured or one in which damage to the property of any person, in a written report with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. If the operator is unable to make such a report, another participant must make it. Remember to keep copies for your records. This report form, known as an MV-104, may be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles or its website (over the Internet). Often, your insurance company, insurance broker or attorney can send you the form.

15. Call an attorney. Consult an attorney who is experienced in accident cases if you or a loved one is hurt. Ask lots of questions.

Source:http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2422.shtml

Car Accident

Remember back in the day when you went to take that routine driver's education? I have to say, I don't think anyone really enjoys this. You do some reading, note taking, slow driving and watch the classic video tapes loaded with nasty car accidents. Good times! Now, the point of all this is not only to teach you proper driving skills, but also to make sure you know how to drive safely. This part is crucial. Especially for teenagers just receiving their licenses. I suppose they need as much scaring as instructors can muster.

We tend to get in a rut. Most people get up in the morning, hop in their car and drive to school or work. It's a routine we know by heart and it doesn't faze us one bit. After all, what's there to worry about? We're just going through the motions like we always do. Nothing bad generally happens. So why would today be any different? However, what we forget is that car accidents can occur at any time. It could be you, or it could be some poor old lady 8 cars ahead of you. This means that you not only have to drive safely, but you also have to watch how others around you are driving. That car three vehicles ahead of you could lose control today and smash into a semi. This in turn could affect you almost instantly. After all, you are on the same road, highway, or interstate. Yes sir, when you're behind that wheel, you have to be on full alert at all times. Most car accidents occur because people are not. You wouldn't believe how often people crash their cars because of tiny things like dropping a cigarette or changing the radio station.

Driving is a privilege; not a right! We've all heard this spiel before, and as much as we hate to hear it, it's the truth. Some folks are not fit to drive. Once you pull out onto that highway, you have a lot of responsibility in your hands. Not everyone takes this seriously enough. So the next time you're in a hurry and decide to speed around everyone, I suggest you remember those hideous car accidents they showed you back in driver's education. Maybe speeding is not such a great plan after all.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/k-12-education-articles/car-accident-451126.html

Morcycle Accidents & Injuries

by: Gary E Rosenberg

You can ride safer by following these quick tips on motorcycle safety:

1. Always assume that you and your motorcycle are totally invisible to other drivers.

2. Leave plenty of space in front and back and to the sides from all other vehicles.

3. Beware of motorists turning left in front of you at intersections.

4. Never drink or take drugs and try to ride a motorcycle.

5. Avoid riding at night, especially late Saturday night and early Sunday when drunken drivers may be on the road.

6. Beware of taking curves that you can't see around. A parked truck or a patch of sand may be awaiting you.

7. Do not try to 'get even' with another rider or motorist by giving in to road rage.

8. If someone is tailgating you, either speed up to open more space or pull over and let them pass.

9. Take a motorcycle safety course to learn what to look for to avoid accidents.

10. Wear protective clothing and a helmet.

There is no New York No-Fault insurance available to motorcycle riders. This means that in the event of injury in a motorcycle accident, private health insurance must pay the bills. If the rider wins a lawsuit, these bills must usually be paid back to the health insurance carrier. If there is no health insurance available, the issue of medical bills and paying for medical care becomes complicated, indeed. Consult an experienced accident and personal injury attorney.

As a lawyer and rider who has held a motorcycle license for many years, I have some definite thoughts on this topic. But I'd like you to "cram down" some statistics about motorcycle safety, which relate to accidents and injuries, and which I find fascinating:

1. Approximately 3/4 of motorcycle accidents involve collision with another vehicle; most often a passenger automobile.

2. Approximately 1/4 of motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment.

3. Vehicle failure accounts for less than 3% of motorcycle accidents, and most of those are single vehicle accidents where control is lost due to a puncture flat.

4. In single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error is present as the cause about 2/3 of the time, with the typical error being a slideout and fall due to overbraking, or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering.

5. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) are the accident cause in 2% of accidents; animal involvement causes 1% of accidents.

6. In multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violates the motorcycle right-of-way and causes the accident 2/3 of the time.

7. Drivers inability to recognize motorcycles in traffice is the main source of motorcycle collisions. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle does not see the motorcycle before the collision, or does not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

8. Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause.

9. The most frequent accident type is the motorcycle proceeding straight and the automobile making a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.

10. Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident, with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often violating traffic controls.

11. Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents.

12. Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident is likely to happen close to the place the trip began.

13. The view of the motorcycle or other vehicle involved in an accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost 2 of multiple vehicle accidents.

14. Visibility of the motorcycle is a critical factor in multiple vehicle accidents, and accidents are significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets.

15. Fuel system leaks and spills are present after 62% of motorcycle crashes. This means that there is usually a fire hazard.

16. Motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly overrepresented in accidents; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30 and 50 are significantly underrepresented. Although the majority of accident-involved motorcycle riders are male (96%), female motorcycles riders are significantly overrepresented in accidents.

17. Motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% are self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and reduces injury in the event of accidents.

18. Almost 1/2 of fatal accidents show alcohol involvement.

19. Motorcycle riders in those accidents have difficulty avoiding the collision. Most riders overbrake and skid the rear wheel, and underbrake the front wheel, greatly reducing the ability to slow down and avoid the accident. In the presence of alcohol, the ability to countersteer and swerve are just about absent.

20. The typical motorcycle accident allows the motorcyclist just less than 2 seconds to avoid the collision.

21. Motorcycle modifications such as those associated with the semi-chopper or cafe racer are definitely overrepresented in accidents.

22. The likelihood of injury is extremely high in motorcycle accidents - 98% of multiple vehicle collisions and 96% of single vehicle accidents result in some kind of injury to the motorcycle rider; 45% result in more than a minor injury.

23. Half of the injuries to motorcycle riders are to the ankle-foot, lower leg, knee, and thigh-upper leg.

24. Crash bars are not an effective injury countermeasure; the reduction of injury to the ankle-foot is balanced by increase of injury to the thigh-upper leg, knee, and lower leg.

25. The use of heavy boots, jacket, gloves, etc., is effective in preventing or reducing abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent but rarely severe injuries.

26. Speed, alcohol involvement and motorcycle size increade the injury severity.

27. Seventy-three percent of accident-involved motorcycle riders use no eye protection, and it is likely that the wind on their unprotected eyes contributes to impairment of vision which delays hazard detection.

28. Approximately 50% of the motorcycle riders in traffic use safety helmets but only 40% wear helmets at the time of their accident.

29. Voluntary safety helmet use by accident-involved motorcycle riders was lowest for untrained, uneducated, young motorcycle riders on hot days and short trips.

30. The most deadly injuries to motorcycle accident victims are injuries to the chest and head.

31. The use of the safety helmet is the single critical factor in the prevention or reduction of head injury.

32. Safety helmet use does not decrease the riders ability to hear or see, and causes no fatigue or loss of attention; no element of accident causation is related to helmet use.

33. Helmeted riders and passengers showed significantly lower head and neck injury for all types of injury, at all levels of injury severity.

34. The increased coverage of the full facial coverage helmet increases protection, and significantly reduces face injuries.

35. There is no increase in neck injury by wearing a safety helmet; helmeted riders have fewer neck injuries than unhelmeted riders.

3 Car Accident Insurance Tips

Buying auto insurance can seem like an overwhelming task. There are many things to consider that can potentially save or cost you a lot of money and stress over the years. Here are three car accident insurance tips that can make this task much easier.

Tip #1: Drive A Low Profile Vehicle
Some cars carry high insurance costs based upon the perceived risks associated with those cars. For example, if you drive a sports car, most insurance companies will presume there is a higher inherent risk and assign a higher rate on your insurance policy. For much lower rates, drive a low-profile vehicle that does not raise any red flags with your insurance carrier.

Tip #2: Keep Your Credit Report Clean
Your credit report is often used by the insurance carrier to determine the amount of risk they assume to offer you a policy. Though most insurance carriers won't proactively tell you that your credit report is used to determine your car insurance rates, there is a strong correlation between a person's credit rating and the risk an insurance carrier assumes in offering that person a policy. Pay your bills on time and review your credit reports annually to ensure they are clean of errors.

Tip #3: Install A Car Alarm Or Anti-Theft System
Often, you can save money on your car insurance rates if you install a anti-theft device. Your rates are largely a result of the perceived risk that a car insurance company assumes in carrying your policy. Installing a car alarm in your vehicle lowers this perceived risk. As a result, your rates may be lowered.

The car accident insurance buying tips you have discovered above should save you some time and money in the near future. One other thing you should always do is shop around. Try to get quotes from as many car insurance companies as you possibly can before you choose your insurance policy.

source:www.articlesbase.com

Let a Florida Car Accident Lawyer or Truck Accident Lawyer Assist you

Although safe driving campaigns have attempted to reduce car crashes in Florida, car accident lawyer retention is still necessary in most cases in Florida. Car accident lawyer experience is invaluable regarding what may have caused the crash in your Florida car. Accident lawyer information regarding why car crashes occur is available on the internet and through many other sources.

Statistics say that drivers speaking to other passengers and cell phone use are major causes of a Florida car accident. Lawyer discovery rules allow an attorney to obtain the cell phone records of a driver to prove that the person was distracted by use of a cell phone. News accounts of people eating and drinking, playing the radio, doing their makeup and doing many other things while driving make it easy to understand why you might have a Florida car accident. Lawyer involvement soon after you get medical attention is important so that you can prove that the other person was at fault.

If you or a member of your family have been involved in a car accident in Florida, car accident lawyer consultation may be necessary to protect your legal rights in Florida. Car accident lawyer advice regarding the time limit to bring a legal claim should be sought so that you do not lose your right to bring a lawsuit for your Florida car accident. Lawyer responsibility is to be very well informed and prepared regarding Florida laws so that your rights are protected.

Your Florida car accident lawyer will give you information regarding the causes of accidents and the types of injuries that are common to car crashes. Florida law at present requires that the injuries from a car accident be above a certain threshold to file a lawsuit. Permanent injury or scarring is considered a condition for any legal claim. This law may be changing on October 1, 2007. Consult with a Florida car accident lawyer to determine whether the law changes.

Consulting a Florida truck accident lawyer is also an excellent idea if you have had a Florida truck accident. Lawyer experience in interstate commerce, United States Department of Transportation and Florida Department of Transportation rules, licensing requirements, load limits and other truck related issues should be considered before hiring an attorney for your Florida truck accident.

There are many causes of truck accidents including excessive speed, faulty equipment, tire failure, excessive weight, fatigue and other causes. Unfortunately, regardless of cause, a Florida tractor trailer crash usually causes a wrongful death. Florida big rig incidents are complex and, as a result, a Florida truck accident lawyer should be contacted shortly after the accident anywhere in Florida. Truck accident lawyer expert witnesses such as accident reconstructionists, engineers and other witnesses are often the key to winning or losing.

Your case can be harmed by any delay in preserving the accident scene or in gathering evidence anywhere in Florida. Truck accident lawyer experience is to collect crucial evidence as soon as possible after a Florida truck accident. Lawyer involvement early is important in the event of a truck crash in Florida. Truck accident lawyer ability to obtain experts and pay for them should be considered before hiring a Florida truck accident lawyer.

Remember that the hiring of a Florida car accident lawyer or Florida truck accident lawyer should not be made solely on advertisements. Ask for credentials and experience with cases such as yours with similar facts. No attorney can guarantee an outcome or give you an exact amount that your case is worth. However, past results should be considered along with all other available information. Contact a Florida car accident lawyer or truck accident lawyer to assist you with your case. A great way to find such a lawyer is through the internet and most attorneys offer a free initial consultation by phone or email.

For more resources about Florida Car Accident Lawyer or even about Florida Truck Accident Lawyer please review this website http://www.flainj.com

source:www.articlesbase.com

How to Deal with Insurance Adjusters

You have just been in an automobile accident. Your car is damaged, you are hurt and you have lost days at work. You know that to be compensated for your vehicle’s damages, your bodily injury and your lost wages you will have to deal with the at fault party’s insurance. This article discusses how to deal with the person you have to negotiate for what you are out from our accident - the insurance adjuster.

The insurance adjuster can be an intimidating person. They are the representative for a large insurance company. The company’s objective is to collect in money not to funnel it back out. That is why the adjuster’s goal is to negotiate a settlement as for as low a figure as possible.

You are just one person while the adjuster has a whole company’s resources. As soon as the insurance company was alerted to the accident their insured was involved in they start their calculations. They calculate how much your car is worth and what the damages sustained are worth.With medical injuries they have known amounts for the type of accident that occurred. With these numbers and more they want to start negotiations as soon as possible with you.

Why would an adjuster want to settle with you so quickly? If you settle quickly they assume you need the money immediately so to get the funds you will settle for a low amount. If they waited to settle more injuries might be noticed, more medical bills might arrive and more medication might be needed. Those “mights” could add up to a lot more money the insurance adjuster does not want to hand out if he or she does not have to.

What do you need to know when going toe to toe with the insurance adjuster? You need to have your facts and documents in good order and very detailed.The adjuster is used to doing these negotiations daily while if you are lucky, with few accidents to your name, you will only have to do these a few times in your lifetime. This gives them the upper hand thus that is why you need to be so prepared.

Once you have presented your documents to the adjuster they are sure to have questions. They will question why you sought medical attention. They will try to relate this accident injury to past injuries if at all possible. They will question your medical doctor’s opinions. Do not get into an argument over your medical bills. You should point out that you are not a medical expert, that the doctor is and his report should stand by itself. This is one reason to try and have all medical reports as detailed as possible so the adjuster cannot read into it, the facts will be laid out in black and white.

Once the medical bills have been found to be legit it will be the pain and suffering that you have to prove. Again your doctor’s notes will be very important. Make sure that you had the doctor note all the issues you encountered from the accident. The severity of the pain should be detailed as well as any prescriptions that have been filled to help with the pain.

The adjuster should listen to reason. They will be able to tell by this time you have done your homework and are serious about getting a fair settlement. If at this time you feel that the adjuster is still not negotiating a fair sum with you the next step is to tell the adjuster you have no other choice but to find a lawyer.

Deciding to hire a lawyer will hopefully make the adjuster re-think the final figure given to you previously. If the new amount they offer you is fair this will allow you to settle on your own. The adjuster might continue to stand their ground at their unfair figure which will force you to hire a lawyer. If you do hire a lawyer, yes you will have to pay them out of your settlement but since lawyers are used to these type of negotiations most times they are worth their expense.

Dealing with an insurance adjuster can be a difficult task. The best way to negotiate is to be firm but aggressive. Be well prepared with plenty of documentation of why you deserve a certain amount of money for not only your car damages but your injuries and pain and suffering.Be persuasive in your discussions and stand your ground and you should be able to come away with a fair settlement.

Source:www.carinsurance.com
image:www.rtable.net

Auto Accidents and Lost Wages

On your normal daily drive to work the unexpected happens. Joe Q. Public runs a signal light and plows into your car. What do you need to do? First the normal reactions of course, check to make sure you are okay and that the other driver is as well. If the collision was hard enough you will have injuries that will not only hurt but side line you from work. Without work you are losing wages. There are ways in which to recoup your lost wages when you were not at fault in an auto accident.

After you have been involved in a car collision there are many questions running through your mind. The first being if you car is inoperable how you are going to get home or to work? Next what form of transportation will you have until your car is fixed or the insurance company comes through with money for your totaled automobile?

Once these issues are resolved you will realize there are even more concerns to consider. If you were indeed injured you will have medical bills to contend with and probably days taken off of work. This is what this article is going to discuss, how to try to get your lost wages paid for.
You were minding your own business on your way to work when the accident occurred. Why should you be penalized for not only the time the actual accident took away from your job but also the time taken off due to injuries? You were not at fault why should you lose money from someone else’s mistake?

How can you go about recouping your lost wages? Before going through the pain staking task of dealing with the other person’s insurance company check to make sure you did not purchase an add on to your own insurance coverage. If you did purchase the lost wage reimbursement coverage you may not have to go any further. You paid for that coverage take advantage of it. It should pay some or all of your lost wages. The down side is that your insurance company may wait till your case with the other party’s insurance company has been settled before they settle the lost wages amount with you.

Unfortunately you will always have to deal with the insurance company of the person who hit your car. This can be easy or hard. More than likely it will be the later since many insurance companies hate to part with their money. Most insurance companies have very complex strategies put in place to try and confuse you so that they can limit the financial compensation that they will have to pay out to you, the accident victim.

Dealing with an insurance company’s adjuster might make you end up running to a lawyer. If that is the case make sure the lawyer you contact understands you were injured and not only want your car repairs and physical injuries covered in the settlement but also your lost wages from work. Your workplace might have covered your days off with sick or vacation time so that you still received a paycheck. If this is the case you should still be entitled to reimbursement because this is obviously not how you would have wanted to spend your time off from work. That time cannot be replaced but you can be compensated for it.

If you end up dealing with the insurance adjuster from Joe Q. Public’s insurance company be prepared. They will want to negotiate a sum of money that is as little as possible. The car and injuries will be their priorities so if you do not bring up your lost wages or compensatory damage they will not offer it to you.

If you health and accident policy happened to have paid you for being out of work odds are they are did not pay you the full amount of your normal salary. Joe Public’s insurance company will mostly likely only try to pay you the difference of your normal salary and what your health policy paid. Do not be led into this trap. The insurance company should pay you the full amount of your lost wages. They did not carry that health and accident policy, you did and that is why you received money. Their customer caused the incident and should not be decide to pay you what is due because you planned well for this type of situation.

For each week that you were out of work, out on disability due to the accident, you will need a doctor’s medical report to prove to the insurance company why you were unable to work. Make sure that your doctor takes detailed notes of your injuries so that the insurance adjuster will understand the depth of your problems.

The adjuster will want documentation from your employer as well. If possible get those documents to be detailed and explain even if you were able to come back to work how your injuries might have still not allowed you to do your work at 100 percent. You will want your gross wages for that time period, not the net so make sure your company lists that correctly in their report. Make sure to also let the adjuster know if you lost out on bonuses during your time off of work. This can be another bartering point.

The longer you were off work should be related to the amount of pain and suffering compensation you should receive from the insurance company. The rule of thumb for pain and suffering is three times the amount of your medical bills so keep after the adjuster to make sure you do not get short changed.

Accidents are never a pleasant experience, especially if you have been injured. What you need to remember after your car and injuries are compensated for appropriately that you are not done with Joe Public’s insurance company. Keep negotiating with their insurance adjuster until you get paid what you are due and that includes your lost wages.

Source:www.carinsurance.com

image:www.dilloninsurance.com

Accident Checklist – What To Do Following A Motor Vehicle Collision

You have just been in an accident. You are shaking and in shock. Take a couple of deep breathes so that you can deal with the incident. If you have a checklist handy, it will help you get through the next hour or so as you exchange information and figure out how to deal with the situation at hand. More than 12 million motor vehicle accidents annually include more than 20 million cars or trucks. A motor vehicle death occurs on average every 12 minutes and an injury every 11 seconds accord to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If you are in a collision, are still alive, and without injury think of how lucky you are. Even if you are shaky after the accident, you will need to try and follow the steps of this checklist.

1. Stop the vehicle. If it is not safe to stop immediately, stop as soon as possible and try to do so out of the flow of traffic. Do not leave the scene completely, if you do the police might cite you with a violation.

2. Move the vehicle to the side or out of traveled roadway. Move the car if it is safe and legal to do so. In some states or jurisdictions, it is illegal to move a vehicle that was in a collision from its stopping point. This is so the police can investigate the incident better.

3. Get occupants out of harm’s way. Once the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off, move yourself and any passengers out of the car and away from the roadway or traffic.

4. Attend to any injuries. Check yourself and others for injuries. If you have a medical kit, use it but only for minor issues. If someone is seriously injured do not move them, unless necessary while you wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive.

5. Call police and emergency medical attention. 911 is usually the logical choice to call. If the accident is not that serious, 911 might give you the number of a local law enforcement agency to call.

6. Obtain witness statements. Ask anyone that witnessed the accident to write out a statement, sign it, include his or her name, and contact information. This is especially important if the witness is unable to stay until the police arrive.

7. Exchange information with the other driver. You and the other driver should exchange your name, telephone number, address, insurance company name, policy number and driver’s license numbers. Other information you might want to write down yourself are the car’s make, model, year and license plate number.

8. Take pictures and/or make a diagram of the accident scene. If you have a camera take pictures of the vehicles, whole accident scene, any stoplights, stop signs or intersections that played a part in the collision. You can also use a sheet of paper and draw a diagram of the area, including which way the vehicles were traveling and where occupants were seated in the vehicles. Note the date, time and weather conditions, along with any obstructions where the city or highway department may be responsible.

9. Cooperate with the law enforcement officer that responds. Answer any questions asked of you and give the information, such as insurance and driver’s license, as well as personal information the officer request. After the police have talked to everyone involved and any witness, write down the officer’s name, badge number and his or her station’s address and phone number. Ask about how you can get a copy of the police report.

10. Leave the accident scene and contact insurance company. Once the law enforcement officer says you can leave the scene, see if your car needs to be towed away or if you can drive it away. Once away from the scene call your insurance company and the other party’s insurance company if they are at-fault since you will likely be filing a claim with them.

This checklist has been put together from personal experience and after researching the National Safety Council (NSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) websites. Both of these sites are full of safety tips for motorists as well as very enlightening statistics. Drive safely and defensively while carrying this checklist in your vehicle in case you become involved in an accident.

Source:www.carinsurance.com

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