It is a routine that we perform at least a couple of times per week. We drive into a crowded gas station, swipe a credit or debit card, and fill our vehicle full of fuel. Never in your wildest dreams did you envision a gas station becoming the scene of an auto accident. Because of modern technology gadgets that lead many drivers into the world of distraction, gas station crashes are inching up the list of auto accident causes.
Backup accidents, in which another driver backs into a second car, represent the most common type of car crash at gas stations. However, there are thousands of cases each year in the United States that involve a driver pulling off a road at a high rate of speed and striking a second vehicle.
These types of gas station accidents produce incredible damage, both to the vehicles in the crash, as well as the drivers and passengers. If you were involved in a gas station accident and you feel you were not at fault, then you might have a strong case to pursue compensation.
What are the Damages Generated by an Accident?
When you think of an auto accident, the first expense that comes to mind is most likely medical costs. From whiplash to broken bones, even the lowest impact car crashes lead to costly medical bills. The same injuries that cost you money at a healthcare facility can also make a negative impact on your career.
Serious car crashes can put victims out of work for weeks, if not months on end. How to you recover the wages lost because of a gas station accident?
The answer is by filing a claim seeking compensation for another driver’s negligence. There is also the ambiguous legal term called “pain and suffering,” which requires the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer to argue for inside a civil courtroom. Pain and suffering usually refers to the lingering mental and emotional effects that develop after a car crash. Although medical expenses come with a clear price tag, pain and suffering does not have a definitive cost.
The Aftermath of a Gas Station Car Crash
One thing about a car accident at a gas station. Unless it happened in the middle of the night, there should be plenty of witnesses to provide information concerning the incident. Consistent witness accounts of the accident that place the blame for the incident on another driver is a good place to start for getting compensated for all the costs associated with the accident. The key is to interview witnesses as soon a possible after a gas station accident.
People tend to disperse after an accident, and you want to interview witnesses as soon as possible to get the freshest version of events. As time passes, witness accounts of just about anything begin to lose credibility.
You should also take photos of the accident scene, with special attention paid to the damage inflicted on your vehicle. Insurance adjusters want physical evidence of auto damage before the companies approve any form of insurance settlement. Pictures of tire marks and the positioning of parking spots are also important pieces of physical evidence your auto insurance company can use.
Whether you receive compensation from your insurer, or you receive an award handed out by a civil court judge, you need a seasoned litigator by your side to help you recover the costs of a gas station accident. Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
