Rush hour traffic is unusually light, as you make your way home to end another workweek. Suddenly, a car swerves into your vehicle, which forces you to move into the lane immediately to your right.
Your car hits a third car, and now you are involved in a multiple car accident on a highway. The speed of the first vehicle has led to considerable damage to your car, as well as to the vehicle you hit trying to avoid the first car.
The number of auto accidents in the United States each year averages around six million. Of the number of car crashes, a large number occur on American highways.
Because of high speeds and the sheer number of vehicles on American highways, auto accidents can turn into expensive propositions for everyone involved. If you have experienced a car accident on an American highway, and you did not cause the crash, you should learn how to get compensation to pay for all damages.
Types of Auto Accident Damages
Medical expenses represent the costliest damages that result from car crashes on American highways. Not only do the direct expenses play a huge role in pushing the final medical tab into the thousands of dollars, the indirect costs such as a rehabilitation regimen adds a significant amount of money to medical expenses.
Depending on the seriousness of a highway auto accident, you might find yourself on the financial hook for medication, hospital visits, in-home healthcare services, and cognitive therapy for brain trauma. Although your insurance policy might cover the cost of medical care, a personal injury attorney can help you collect more money by filing a negligence lawsuit.
What to Do Right After an Accident
Car crashes are highly emotional events that often lead to poor decisions immediately following an incident. The key for collecting compensation in an auto accident cases involves knowing what to do immediately after an accident.
Clear your head as quickly as possible, and then contacting the nearest law enforcement agency should be the first priority on your list. Highway accidents typically leave plenty of debris on the road, but the most important reason for calling authorities is responding to any injuries caused by the crash.
The most important document you obtain that helps you get compensation for a highway accident is the official police report. Within the official version of events, there should be statements from every witness, as well as a detailed account of how the accident unfolded. If the formal police report demonstrates another driver caused you physical harm, as well as damage to your vehicle, then you might have a strong enough case to file a civil suit seeking monetary damages.
At the very least, it is up to you to gather the personal information of the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes information posted on a driver’s license, as well as the auto insurance information for every driver that was part of the incident.
Contact a Personal Injury
Car crashes are unique events because sometimes, personal injuries do not develop until days or even weeks after a crash. Regardless of how you feel after an auto accident, you should speak with a state licensed personal injury who reviews your case to determine the strength of a possible civil lawsuit. Most personal injury lawyers work on a fee contingency basis, as well as schedule free initial consultations with clients.
