Why You Should Call the Police After Your Car Accident

Posted by Adam R. Leighton on Jul 24, 2020 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Why You Should Call the Police After Your Car Accident A police report can turn into an essential aspect of your car accident claim. Unfortunately, drivers who get into accidents are sometimes afraid to or pressured out of contacting police, which can create difficulties when you try to file. To better understand a police report, here is how they can help you and how to obtain one after the accident. Why You Should Call the Police  When the police arrive at the scene of your accident, they take statements from everyone involved to get a better understanding of what happened. A police report is the final account they create based on those statements, and it often identifies who the police officer believes was responsible for causing the accident. The report can be used as evidence of negligence if you are trying to file a claim with the other driver’s insurance. Some states do not even allow you to file a claim without a police report, so don’t skip this step. How to Obtain the Report  You can usually get a copy of the report in one of two ways. The first is contacting the police department directly to request a copy. If you received a receipt from the responding officer at the accident scene, you can give it to the office as a reference number for them to locate the report. If you don’t have the receipt, provide your name and the date and details of the accident for them to look up. You may have to pay around $15 to get a copy. You can also contact your insurance to see if they have already pulled a copy of the police report for their own records. Asking them for a copy can save you the money of going to the police. When the Report Becomes Available The responding officer may take a few weeks to finish and file the report. If you try to get a copy shortly after the accident and it’s not yet available, wait a little while and try again. How Insurance Handles Reports Though the police report probably indicates who the officer thinks is responsible for the accident, the insurance company may not take it into account. They will always conduct their own investigation into your claim and accident. While they will look at the report, they may make a decision different than that of the officer. If the insurance company is trying to...
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Fewer Collisions Equals Fewer Claims

Posted by Adam R. Leighton on Jul 18, 2020 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Fewer Collisions Equals Fewer Claims The coronavirus that continues to ravage the nation has impacted the economy and every known field has been adversely affected in one way or another. The field of law as well as insurance claims is no different. During the months of March through May, there was a noticeable drastic decrease of road traffic across the country as state-mandated lockdowns kept nonessential businesses locked up and people indoors for the foreseeable future at the time.This also means that there were fewer car accidents. While this does mean safer roads, it also means fewer personal injury claims, which means some law firms may struggle in the increasingly competitive arena in bidding for case representation. Statistics on Car Accident ClaimsAn Auto Claims Snapshot revealed that auto claims in states from coast to coast were down 25% on average in the month of June. This was the truth for every state except South Dakota, which had been ravaged by severe hailstorms, increasing claims by 73%.By Memorial Day, however, claims began to increase as states reopened their economies. With the ailing economy, people were eager to get back to work and catch up on paying their bills. For the more well-off, annual family vacations and summer travel had also driven up road activity on freeways and major interstates. Even though many states had imposed and continued to maintain some restrictions, it seems that people would still find it preferable to be locked up somewhere else in another city instead of being locked up at home. This is especially considering that all of America had been doing just that already for so long.States like California, Florida, Texas and Arizona saw sharp increases in claims, but today, those same states are considered our America’s biggest hotspots of the virus and thus California has reinstated phase 1 opening restrictions, shutting people inside once again. While neither the Texas nor Florida state governments have followed suit, citizens have taken matters into their own hands and once again begun staying inside and staying off the road resulting in another downward trend in claims yet again.The Future of ClaimsInsurance companies think this will all change in August as kids start going back to school. As the state government has largely agreed to reinstate in-person schooling, this will definitely put drivers on the road again. The increase of personal injury claims back to “normal” levels will also depend on whether or...
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Pregnant Car Accident Victims: Crucial Steps To Take

Posted by Adam R. Leighton on Jul 14, 2020 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Pregnant Car Accident Victims: Crucial Steps To Take Car Accident Attorney If you are pregnant, you understand how important it is to care for your health and well-being. The attention you give your body will impact your baby. Any ailments you have or injuries you suffer could negatively affect the development of your little one inside you. This is why you should be extra cautious if you are in a car accident. In this unfortunate situation, the right response is critical for you and your child. Stay Put One of the worst things you can do in a car accident is to leave the scene. Whether you believe you caused the collision, were partially at fault or are completely innocent in the matter, you need to remain onsite until the authorities arrive. Even if the accident is a hit and run, stay in the area, and don’t try to chase down the other driver. Obtain and Give Information If you are well enough to do so, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Also, make sure you or someone else calls the police, even if the accident appears to be minor. Once officers arrive, give a true and accurate statement of what happened. Don’t exaggerate, and don’t accept or place any blame. Let the office investigate the incident. You should also remain calm and keep your emotions in check. Get Medical Care This step is vital, especially if you are pregnant. Even if it doesn’t appear as though you have visible injuries, let a doctor examine you. Some injuries and symptoms of ailments may not show up for several days. A qualified physician can check for internal injuries by running imaging tests. The doctor will perform an ultrasound to make sure the baby is OK. If your injuries at the scene are severe, you should go immediately to the hospital via ambulance. Call the Insurance Company If your injuries are mild, you may do this before seeking medical care. Either way, ensure that you get in touch with your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. Give as many details as you can about the accident, including how it happened, how much damage it caused and what injuries you and other people in the car suffered. Involve an Attorney If the police report certifies that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, call a personal injury lawyer. Your attorney can determine whether you’re entitled to compensation...
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