Many auto accidents occur when a car is merging into traffic. Merging can be tricky. Drivers must make sure they have enough room to merge in between cars, so if a vehicle fails to signal or is moving too fast, then an accident can result.
If you have been hit by a merging car, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the driver who is at-fault for the crash that caused your injuries and damages. Here are five things to do if your car was hit by a merging car:
1. Call the police right away. You will want an accident report to confirm that the accident took place and that damages resulted because of the crash. The responding officer will gather evidence at the scene, talk to all those involved, and get information from any witnesses. You will need to get a copy of the accident report for your records.
2. Check to see if there are any witnesses to the accident. You will want to get statements from any witnesses. Corroborating statements can help with your personal injury claim and confirm that the merging accident took place just as you indicated. Be sure to ask any witnesses to provide written statements detailing what they saw. Also, ask them to include their names and contact details as they will need to be reached later during the claims process.
3. Take photos of the accident scene. You can use your smartphone to do this. Get photos of the vehicles from all angles and be sure to get the entire accident scene. Take photos of the damage that the vehicles sustained. Get pictures of any visible injuries as well. Try to show the entire accident scene, so what happened and how it happened can be seen by those viewing the photos.
4. Exchange insurance information and contact details with the other driver. You will need to exchange the basic details with the other driver so the claim can get underway much faster. This way, your insurance will know who to contact and will start working with the other driver’s auto insurer to settle the matter.
5. Consult with a personal injury attorney. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that your attorney will not need to be paid until you are receive compensation for the damages from the accident through a personal injury settlement or judgment. There is a strict statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim, do not hold off on filing a claim. If you wait too long, then you may not be able to receive any compensation for the damages from the merging accident.
Work With a Lawyer
If your car was hit by a merging car, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who is licensed in your state. With the help of an accident injury lawyer, the likelihood of your being compensated for your damages increases significantly. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have the details of your case reviewed by an accident injury lawyer today.
