There are many ways a road accident can take place but there is nothing worse than a merging accident when a driver behind the wheel of his vehicle misjudges when to merge with fast moving traffic on busy highways like US-9. Merging with fast moving traffic is a challenging activity in itself but if the driver doesn’t quite concentrate enough and merges too close to oncoming traffic on US-9 the results could be devastating when a collision takes place.
More than one life could be lost and other victims could be landed with serious injuries that never fully heal. Most states, including New York, allow victims of vehicle accidents that were not their fault the right to file a claim for compensation. This helps to compensate the victim(s) for any financial hardship that results because of the accident. Talking to a personal injury attorney is advisable before filing a personal injury claim.
US-9 in New York
US-9 is part of the U.S. Highway route network. It goes from Laurel in Delaware to Champlain in New York. In New York, it extends for 324.72 miles from Manhattan’s George Washington Bridge to the interchange with I-87 not far south of the Canada–U.S. border in Champlain. US-9 is the longest north to south Highway in New York and the part that passes through New York makes up more than 50 percent of the highway's full length.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On US-9
One of the most important features of an accident that takes place when a car merging into traffic crashes into you on the US-9 is being able to prove what caused the accident. Without sufficient evidence it will be difficult to win a personal injury claim.
In New York, you have to be aware of the statute of limitations. As for most personal injury cases, you only have 3 years from the injury date to get to court and begin the filing of a claim against those who have been held responsible for the merging accident.
New York also has a shared fault ruling which means in some personal injury cases the at-fault driver may try to blame you for being part of the cause of the accident. If it’s found you are partly to blame the value of the compensation may be reduced in proportion to the percentage you are found to be blamed. So if it’s calculated you are 10 percent to blame then your personal injury payment will be reduced by 10 percent.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On US-9
There are certain key pieces of evidence you will need to provide to support your personal injury claim which includes:
- police reports written by those who attended the scene of the accident
- photographs taken by you, family members that were in your car and any nearby witnesses
- physical evidence of injuries shown by photos such as burns, broken limbs and lacerations to the face and body
- providing medical records describing your injuries and the treatment you require from the commencement of the injury until full recovery has taken place.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
There are many experienced personal injury attorneys who know US-9 well and how easy it is for a driver who loses concentration when trying to merge from another road and can cause a serious accident. A personal injury attorney knows how difficult it is negotiating with an at-fault driver’s insurer and how easy it is to accept a token amount. But a more favorable compensation claim will be won by an experienced personal injury attorney who knows what needs to be done.
