It seems like a simple vehicle operating rule. A stoplight turns yellow and you slow down in anticipation of the light turning to red. However, stoplight accidents are a frequent occurrence at American intersections primarily because of a lack of attention and/or the blatant disregard for motor vehicle operating protocols.
This means you can be involved in a vehicle accident at a stoplight.
Although red light runners represent a large chunk of spotlight accident cases, there are several other reasons why you might find yourself along the side of a road trying to determine what just happened. A stoplight accident can be caused by a gentle nudge from another car or it can involve a full blown crash that includes more than two vehicles.
Whatever the reason for an accident at a stoplight, you have to know how to handle the accident to ensure a timely and accurate filing of an insurance claim.
Why Filing a Claim is Important
If you suffer from one or more injuries as the result of a motor vehicle accident at a stoplight, then you should consider filing an insurance claim that covers the cost of all medical expenses. The most common types of injuries endured because of an accident at a stoplight include whiplash, bruised ribs, and arm fractures.
An insurance claim will help pay for the cost of expensive medical treatment, as well as any rehabilitation regimen you must follow to recover fully from the accident.
Sometimes, the symptoms of a physical injury do not appear for days or even weeks after a motor vehicle accident. You have submitted the proper paperwork and now you wonder how to handle the delayed physical distress symptoms. A state licensed personal injury attorney can help you amend an insurance claim to account for the delayed physical injury symptoms.
Proper Claim Procedure
Having to deal with a motor vehicle accident at a stoplight can trigger plenty of stress and anxiety. The adrenaline rush caused by a vehicle accident might lead to some poor decisions that negatively impact the status of an insurance claim. As the most important act to take immediately after an accident at stoplight, contacting a police department will give you the factual information you need to expedite an insurance claim.
A representative from a law enforcement agency who is responsible for processing a vehicle accident report will conduct a comprehensive investigation at the scene of the crash. The primary goal is to determine the reason for the crash, which can include assigning fault for causing the accident.
Although a police report is not the only guiding document that leads to the final decision made by insurance adjusters, it is by far the most critical piece of evidence that determines fault.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve
Filing an insurance claim can frustrate the most patient policyholders. It is not just the complex language written into an insurance policy; it is also the amount of time it takes to hear back from an insurance adjuster.
By working with a state licensed personal injury lawyer, you will have a legal advocate at your side who will make sure everything submitted to your insurance company is legal valid. Moreover, your attorney will determine whether you have a strong enough case to file a lawsuit seeking monetary damages for the pain and suffering caused after an accident at a stoplight.
