Car accidents are never a simple matter, whether the accident is a small fender bender or more catastrophic. Car accidents can change your life in an instant, potentially leaving you with injuries, emotional trauma, and huge debt.
The fallout from an accident can quickly become overwhelming. However, if you know what to do immediately after an accident and have a Canton car accident lawyer, these issues may be much easier to manage.
Am I Eligible to Receive Compensation if I’m in a Car or Truck Accident?
A Canton, Ohio, car accident lawyer can advise you on what to do next. They can assess whether you have a legal claim to damages and can help if you do. If you decide to pursue legal action, compensation is generally broken down into three different categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
These are monetary losses resulting from injuries sustained in the accident. You could receive compensation for past and future medical expenses, costs for rehabilitation, lost wages, and lost earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
These are things like pain and suffering and emotional trauma—basically, any non-monetary losses caused by the accident.
Punitive Damages
Courts award these under special circumstances when they need to punish the at-fault driver for reckless actions.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Canton, call 800-333-9999
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident
There are a few things you can do after an accident to protect yourself:
Get Medical Attention
Check yourself and any passengers in your car for injuries and call 911. If you or anyone involved in the accident has life-threatening injuries, it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, you may have a serious injury you’ve overlooked, so it’s important for a medical professional to assess anyone who has been in a car or truck accident.
Get Everyone to a Safe Place
After an accident, vehicles may be inoperable, but moving cars or trucks off the road can prevent further accidents. If you can’t move your vehicle after the accident, get everyone out of the vehicle and to safety. Once everyone is safe, gather details of the car accident.
Only move people you are sure are uninjured.
Record Who’s Involved
Get the contact information of everyone involved in the crash. This includes passengers in the other vehicles involved. You also need to get the insurance information of the other drivers involved in the crash. Ask witnesses to the collision for their information, too. Witness accounts can be beneficial later in the legal process.
Record the Scene
Take photos and videos of the accident and damage to all cars involved. It is also a good idea to take pictures and videos of the surrounding area to fully document the conditions.
Record What You Can Remember
Write down everything that happened before, during, and after the accident. Document everything you did, such as calling the police, getting contact information, seeking medical attention, etc. Be sure to document witness accounts and statements made by the other parties involved in the crash. Once the authorities arrive:
- Give your statement of events to the officers.
- Be as accurate as possible and don’t try to fudge over details. The report will be critical later on if you take legal action.
- Be sure you know how and when you can access the accident report.
Canton Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-333-9999
What Not to Do After a Car Accident
Ignoring the following could jeopardize your claim:
- Do NOT leave. Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal and could lead to criminal charges.
- Do not speak with the other drivers except to get contact information. Do not apologize or discuss who was at fault. Anything you say, even a heartfelt apology, can be used against you later.
- Do not post anything on social media about the accident or your injuries. If you pursue a lawsuit, you can bet the lawyers of all parties involved are watching your social media accounts. The opposing lawyers can and will use anything you post.
- Do not speak with the other party’s insurance company. Let your car accident lawyer take care of that. The insurance company may try to use anything you say to minimize its client’s responsibility in the accident.
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How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for a Car Accident?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. It isn’t surprising that filing a lawsuit might not be the first thing on your mind. However, just because you have two years doesn’t mean you should wait that long to seek damages.
We’re ready to help every client get the compensation they deserve. We have already helped clients in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio recover over $1 billion in settlements. Let us help you next.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Common Causes of Car or Truck Accidents
No car accident is the same. Some common causes of car accidents are listed below:
- Making a left-turn into oncoming traffic
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Not leaving enough distance from the car ahead for a sudden stop, causing rear-end accidents
- Entering the other lane and causing a head-on collision
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving (e.g., eating, putting on makeup, using a cell phone)
- Road rage
Your lawyer can help you understand your accident, your rights, and how to proceed through the legal process.
Call Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Car accidents can create chaos in your life. After an accident, recovering from the injuries and financial challenges can be stressful and difficult. The legal process can make things even more challenging and exhausting.
Hire one of our lawyers to help you navigate the complicated legal system. Let us help you through the legal process and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact the Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers team for your free consultation today.
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
