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A brief overview of what to do after an accident in Charleston

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Charleston, SC – From the moment a car accident happens, the driver needs to take certain steps to preserve their rights and ability to be compensated fully. It is important for drivers to follow rules for dealing with an accident closely, as there may be insurance consequences or even criminal charges for certain behaviors if the driver is not careful. 

Making contact with others involved

Even if it appears that an accident is very minor, the driver should not leave immediately and make contact with the other drivers. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime. All drivers should exchange information at the scene, and contact the police or local emergency services if it appears that there is any kind of significant property damage or injuries to the people involved. 

Law enforcement and the accident report

If the police do arrive, the driver should make contact with them and see if there are any questions that need to be answered. Giving an account of what happened can be crucial to the process to generate an accurate report. This documentation can become one of the most important pieces of evidence if it is necessary for the drivers to appear in court or file insurance claims at a later time. Officers with knowledge of traffic laws and road conditions can summarize what happened in their report and give an opinion regarding the cause of the crash. 

Contacting insurance companies

Drivers are required by the terms of their auto insurance policy to report the accident as well. This should be done as soon as realistically possible after the area is secured and the driver is safe. Reporting the crash will help create a formal claim and the driver may receive compensation from their provider depending on the specifics of the accident. 

Getting representation from an attorney

Unfortunately, some drivers are left with large costs that may not be covered by the relevant auto insurance policy. It is a good idea for people in this situation to contact a local lawyer and explain their problems. In most cases, a lawsuit against the person or business responsible for the crash is the best way to try to get payments for these costs. The defendant may have to pay out through their insurance, or they may be personally liable for any injuries or property damage that they caused. 

Meeting with an attorney after an accident in South Carolina

The Clekis Law Firm is available to assist accident victims in the Charleston area with various legal matters. Contacting the firm to schedule a consultation is the best way for people dealing with the aftermath of a car crash to get started. 

Firm contact info:

The Clekis Law Firm

171 Church St., Charleston SC, 29401

[email protected]

843-900-0000

clekis.com

Are drivers in Florida required to report car accidents to the police?

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Boca Raton, FL – Car accidents can result in severe health problems, property damage, and various kinds of financial losses. However, there may be some situations where drivers can walk away from minor accidents without any serious harm or even the need to contact the local authorities. Florida does require some accidents to be reported, but very minor collisions will usually not require police assistance at all. However, there also may be some benefits of reporting an accident if it is not required.

Florida’s laws regarding when an accident must be reported

There are a number of different conditions where the accident must be reported to the local police or by calling 911. The first is if there appears to be an injury or fatality at the scene, whether this involves other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. The victim of a hit and run accident also needs to contact the police immediately. The third reason why an accident must be reported to the police is when it appears that any driver involved is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Finally, any accident where it appears that there is greater than five hundred dollars worth of property damage to vehicles or nearby structures. 

Should the driver report the accident anyway?

There are some reasons to report an accident even when it is not required by law. There will be a formal record of the incident and the police may conduct a basic investigation of all accidents. Reports from police or various other transportation agencies are often crucial pieces of evidence when there is a lawsuit related to a crash. Florida also has a law where an accident is supposed to be reported to the local department of motor vehicles by the victim within ten days unless this process is completed by a police officer. 

Some insurance companies will even expect their policyholders to report all accidents, regardless of whether this is required by law or not. If there is any doubt, it is always better to report the crash and follow the instructions from the police before contacting the insurance company. 

Is it necessary to sue the other driver?

Lawsuits are an important way for injured car accident victims to be paid for their losses associated with the crash. It is important for people considering their financial problems and possible solutions to consult with a local attorney about the possibility of bringing a civil case. Depending on the particular facts surrounding each accident and the value of the combined losses, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit. However, as a general rule minor accidents can usually be taken care of through the insurance claim process or Florida’s personal injury protection coverage. 

Accident firms in Boca Raton

Anyone who needs additional assistance after a crash can contact Rosenberg Injury Law.

Firm contact info:

The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Rosenberg

5255 North Federal Highway, 3rd Floor, Boca Raton, Florida 33487

561-508-8800

rosenberginjurylaw.com

What are the most important pieces of evidence in a car accident lawsuit in Florida?

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Boca Raton, FL – In any kind of injury lawsuit, the party bringing the case needs to show sufficient evidence to meet the relevant burden of proof. If this cannot be done, the jury is instructed to rule for the defendant, and the plaintiff will not collect any money at all. For these reasons, in the time period leading up to the trial the plaintiff and their lawyers need to make sure that they will be able to prove their case with the right types of evidence. There are a few different kinds of evidence that are especially important to this process.   

Information about the others involved

A lawsuit can only proceed if the person filing knows who the defendant will be. This is why it is crucial for all accident victims to collect the other drivers’ names, addresses, and insurance information. Drivers are required to contact the others at the scene by law, so this kind of information should always be collected regardless of whether there will be a lawsuit or not. 

The accident report

When law enforcement begins their investigation, they will start to generate a report that contains facts about the time and place of the crash, who was involved, and give their opinions about what happened. This documentation can help the plaintiff establish fault and causation, which can be important during settlement negotiations or when presenting their case at trial. 

Pictures and videos of the accident scene

This is the best way to formally document the condition of the vehicles immediately after the collision and prove damages. The specific type of damage and locations of the vehicles displayed in the pictures may also help accident experts determine how the crash happened and who was at fault for causing the injuries and property damage. Pictures can also help show what the weather, traffic, and road conditions were like at the time of the incident. 

Statements from witnesses

If there is anyone nearby the collision who can provide an objective account of what they have seen, their testimony can be very persuasive. One of the most important parts of the car accident lawsuit is to have all witnesses take depositions to give a preview of what their trial testimony will be and put both sides on notice as to exactly what the witness saw. 

Help from car accident attorneys in Boca Raton

Rosenberg Injury Law is a firm that focuses on accident lawsuits, personal injury cases, and various related issues in the Boca Raton area. Anyone who needs to talk to a lawyer to learn more can contact their attorneys to schedule a meeting. 

Firm contact info:

The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Rosenberg

5255 North Federal Highway, 3rd Floor, Boca Raton, Florida 33487

561-508-8800

rosenberginjurylaw.com

What does a driver need to do immediately after an accident in Baton Rouge?

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Baton Rouge, LA – The moments following an accident can be crucial for both the purposes of treating injuries and documenting the collision for insurance claims or lawsuits. Drivers should be aware that there are certain standard procedures that increase their likelihood of success and recovery. It is in their financial interest to follow all of these steps closely. 

Remaining at the scene

Leaving the scene of a car accident is a crime in Louisiana and all other states. Even if the accident appears to be very minor, the driver should at least stop and exchange information with the others involved before leaving. If the people involved agree that the accident appears very trivial, they can move on without filing an insurance claim. However, the drivers may not be protected if injuries or car problems appear later and they did not initially contact the police or their insurance company. 

Contacting emergency services or police

If there appears to be any kind of property damage or injuries to anyone involved, it is important to contact the local police or call 911. The police officers on the scene will begin to conduct an investigation of what possibly caused the accident. This can be very important for anyone who wants to try to file a lawsuit at a later time if they want to prove that the other driver was at fault. The formal accident report often offers insight about who was responsible for the collision and other important facts such as the time, place, and extent of the damage. 

Getting in touch with an insurance company

All commercial insurance providers require their customers to report their accidents as soon as realistically possible. The driver should call the provider as soon as they are safe and able to do so. The insurance company will likely ask for basic details such as who else was involved and where and when the crash happened. They will also send an adjuster to review the damage to the vehicles if any property or collision damage is reported. 

Drivers should be aware that despite these procedures, the insurance company ultimately has the discretion to choose to pay claims or not. This can be especially frustrating for drivers who have been paying for coverage in case of a collision. Many lawyers who focus on accidents help clients when the insurance process is not helping them. 

Speaking with a local lawyer after a collision

Personal injury lawyers assist their clients with holding the person or business responsible for their injuries accountable through a civil lawsuit. Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf are experienced attorneys who work on these types of cases in Baton Rouge and other parts of Louisiana. 

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

www.mlhlaw.com