Even the safest of drivers have accidents but they are not usually their fault. They are typically caused by other drivers who when out in their vehicles drive in an unpredictable manner that can result in a non-alternating merge accident. If you have been involved in this type of accident and you know it was not your fault, this does not mean that you will be able to prove which driver was at fault. You must act quickly if you wish to get PI compensation for the non-alternating merge accident.
How a Non-Alternating Merge Accident May Occur
Non-alternating merge accidents happen only too often, since there are so many drivers on the road who are not paying attention to what they are doing and start to act unpredictably. This is when a non-alternating merge accident takes place. There are certain factors that can lead to an accident which includes the driver:
- consuming drugs or alcohol;
- deliberately driving in a reckless manner;
- eating and drinking;
- falling asleep behind the wheel;
- poorly maintained car causing faulty brakes.
- texting and talking on a mobile device.
Damages That Might Occur in a Non-Alternating Merge
There are several types of damages that can be included in a PI claim in a non-alternating merge accident like:
- a proportion of wages lost while not able to earn an income;
- a sum which covers the pain and suffering caused by the non-alternating merge accident;
- cost of repairing the vehicle;
- cost of the replacement of damaged personal property in the vehicle;
- out of pocket expenses such as cab/Uber fares for hospital visits or to for shopping while unable to drive;
- punitive damages if the driver who caused the non-alternating merge was deliberately negligent;
- the cost of a rental a car while the damaged car is being repaired;
- the cost of all medical treatment for anyone injured.
How to React if You Are Involved in a Non-Alternating Merge Accident
When the non-alternating merge accident takes place, you will need to seek the medical treatment you need from the emergency room as soon as possible. You should ensure you collect as much evidence as you are able at the non-alternating merge accident site and exchange information with anyone else who was there at the time. You should not be afraid to call the police as a police report is important and provides evidence needed for a PI claim.
The type of evidence that is typically useful for a PI claim include:
- photos taken by you and the other victims of the non-alternating merge accident including the vehicle damage and the positions of the vehicles at the accident site;
- photos retrieved from traffic monitoring cameras, if possible, showing the accident taking place;
- the police officer’s report;
- your doctor’s medical report with a diagnosis of your injuries and likely recovery time;
- receipts for medical treatment so far;
- unpaid invoices for medical treatment;
- car repair bill or receipt for repairs;
- eye witness’ reports.
Speak With an Attorney
You might believe that filing a PI claim when you have evidence to prove who caused the non-alternating merge means there is a high chance of winning a favorable settlement. However, getting an at-fault driver’s insurer to pay up compensation money is rarely easy but you should have a better chance of winning a successful PI claim if you ask a personal injury attorney to work on your behalf. An attorney has accumulated experience of negotiating with at-fault drivers’ insurers and has a far better chance of securing a successful claim than if you try to negotiate on your own.
