Drive-thrus are popular places to grab a bite to eat in the fast-paced world. Just like with any other places where multiple vehicles are located, there are accidents in drive-thrus. If you have been hit by another car in the drive-thru, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the other driver.
How your auto insurance will be affected is dependent on where the accident occurs, how it occurs, and the laws used in the state where your accident took place.
If you live in a tort state, the at-fault driver’s insurance will be held responsible for the damages that resulted from the accident. As an example, if you are in a tort state and a driver rear-ends your vehicle, the other driver’s insurance will help cover the costs of your damages, such as costs associated with repairing your car, medical bills, lost wages, and so forth. The other driver’s liability coverage should take care of these kinds of damages.
However, if you live in a no-fault state then the other driver will not be technically held at fault for the accident. That means that your personal auto insurance coverage will pay for any damages you suffered up to a specified monetary amount.
You will still need to call the police and have an accident report completed, but you will file a claim with your own auto insurance company so you can make sure your damages are covered. You can then gather you evidence and present it in a car accident demand letter.
If you were rear-ended while you were in a drive-thru you can file a personal injury claim against the other driver in order to get money for your medical expenses and any damage to your vehicle. Even if the accident was low-speed you can still suffer from medical problems as a result of being rear ending that can end up being quite expensive.
Talk to a skilled personal injury attorney today to find out more about filing a personal injury claim that can get you money to cover any of the expenses related to the accident including medical bills and possibly damage to your vehicle.
The driver who was at-fault for the accident is liable for the damages that were incurred. You will have to file a claim against him or her and then his or her auto insurance should take over the process and cover your costs. Of course, insurance companies are in business to make money.
To have a successful claim and get the compensation you deserve, you need to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you and file your claim.
What Kinds of Damages Could Your Vehicle Get From a Drive-Thru Crash?
If your car has been hit in the drive-thru at a restaurant or at a convenience store drive-thru, it could suffer a variety of damages. The damages could vary significantly, depending on the severity of the impact, the point of impact, and the kinds of vehicles involved. Here are some examples of damages that might result.
If the vehicles are of different heights, such as a smaller vehicle like a sports car running up underneath a taller setting four-wheel drive truck, the damages could be to the undercarriage of your truck. It could damage the exhaust and suspension components.
If you are in a sedan that is hit from behind by another sedan, the damage may include damages to your bumper cover, the bumper cushions, and to the bumper itself as well as the bumper hardware. These damages could exceed a thousand dollars.
When you are hit on the side, your car could suffer dents to the door or the fenders, which may be popped out or which may require complete replacement.
These damages will require parts, labor, and paint, so the cost for replacing a door and fender could be $3,000 or more depending on the make and model of your vehicle. If the impact leads to broken lights or mechanical damages, such as a busted radiator, the costs could add up fast.
Your car could suffer significant damage in a drive-thru crash that leads to your vehicle being totaled. For example, if your car is an older vehicle with a book value of $3,500 and it suffers damages that would cost about $5,000 to repair then the insurance will total your car and pay you the fair book value for the vehicle.
Once again, it does depend on the kind of car, its age, and its value. You will have to work to negotiate with the auto insurer if you feel that your car is worth more than they are willing to pay, you will have to work with the insurance company to try to get a fair value.
You should also enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer who will work to ensure your best interests are protected and that you are treated fairly.
You will also want to make sure you are reimbursed for the tow bill, any storage fees, and for the rental vehicle that you drive while your car is out of commission. Be sure to maintain all documentation, such as rental car receipts, the tow bills, and get written repair estimates for your damages from an automotive repair shop.
Take photos of the damages and of the accident scene. Also, get statements from any witnesses. Remember, the more documentation and evidence that you have to support your claim, the more likely you are to succeed.
What Kind of Compensation Can You Receive If You Were Hit at a Drive-Thru?
If you have been hit by a driver at a drive-thru, you will need to call the police and make sure an accident report is filed. If you are physically able to do so, get photos of the accident scene and of the damages. You should be checked out by a medical professional.
Some injuries are not obvious right away, and some injuries are worse than they appear initially. You will need to maintain documentation and evidence to support your claim.
Here are some key supporting evidence to help you recover damages from an accident a drive thru:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Proof of past wages
- Proof of future loss of earnings
- Repair estimates
- Photos of the accident scene
- Photos of the damages
- Towing bills
- Rental car receipts
- Witness statements
- The accident report
Be sure to gather as much evidence as possible. The more supporting documentation that you can provide, the more likely you are to be able to prove that you incurred a specific dollar amount of losses from the crash in question.
Common Auto Accidents That Could Occur at a Drive-Thru
There are dozens of ways auto accidents occur, but at a drive-thru the most common kind of accident is a rear-end crash. Rear-end collisions can cause damage to both vehicles involved. Another accident that can happen at a drive-thru is a car can back up into another vehicle.
Both these crashes can cause extensive damage to the vehicles involved and cause injuries to the driver and any passengers.
Depending on the drive-thru location you might risk being in a crash with vehicles as you enter or exit the drive-thru. Cars traveling along the main roadway might not slow down for business traffic, which might result in a serious accident, such as a T-bone crash.
These injuries can cause life-altering injuries and result in serious property damage.
The Kinds of Injuries Suffered
If you have been involved in a rear-end collision, the most common injury suffered is whiplash. This is a soft tissue injury that can cause severe pain. It requires physical therapy and ongoing care for a full recovery. Other injuries might include pulled muscles and bruising.
All of these can be very painful and require multiple doctor visits. Medical bills add up fast, so you should keep all your bills for negotiating with the insurance company. Also, keep your medical records to prove the severity of your case.
Keep these documents to help with your personal injury claim after a car crash at a drive-thru:
- Photos of the damages
- Medical bills
- Towing bills
- Receipt for a rental car
- Medical records
- Estimates for repairing damages to vehicles
- Pictures of the injuries suffered
Drive thru accidents are likely to be seen by others. In addition to any bills and medical records or documents from an auto repair shop, you need to get witness statements and their contact information.
If someone saw the incident and support your claim of what happened, it can help your claim and prove fault. After the drive thru accident, if you are able to talk to those who were there but not involved, it can be extremely beneficial to your claim.
To make sure you have all the evidence you need for your claim, speak with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer will likely have handled other drive thru accident claims so he or she will know what is needed to make sure your claim is successful.
With the right evidence on hand, you’ll have the best chance possible of getting the compensation you need after a crash in a drive through. A lawyer will make sure this happens.
Evidence Needed for Auto Accident Claim
Generally speaking, most of the procedures you should follow after a car accident are the same, regardless of who was responsible: make sure you're safe, contact the police, don't leave the scene and record everything so that you can file a lawsuit. However, when another car strikes yours and the other driver was at fault, based on the situation, the steps you need to take may vary.
One of several things to do is call 911. A police report detailing the accident will be written by the responding officer or officers, which will be essential to file a claim for injury and damages.
You should try to gather as much knowledge as you can. If the driver who hit your car is at the scene, take down their insurance details including the name of their insurer and the number of their policy. Then you should record their license plate number, along with their car's make and model.
Take pictures of the damage done to your car and also the drive thru location of the crash. Ask around to see if there were any witnesses and ask for their information.
Reasons To Work With A Personal Injury Lawyer
You may be in physical pain and emotional trauma from an auto accident therefore the pain and suffering that your injury has caused can prevent you from bringing rationality to your case. Your personal feelings and beliefs may influence your ability to adhere to the facts of the case. In that case, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer who will strictly look at the facts of your case.
Personal injury lawyers are trained to negotiate the best possible outcome for you. You may not be able to follow strict paperwork deadlines for your personal injury case if you're busy with other important things. They should keep tabs on the process and procedures, so you don’t have to.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you should consult with an auto accident attorney. Your lawyer can file your personal injury claim and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can request compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Any permanent scars or disfigurement
- Property damages
Because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, you won't have to pay anything up front. Call and schedule an initial consultation today. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so there is no out-of-pocket expense.
