Car accidents occur every day, without warning, and can involve even the most careful and cautious drivers on the road.  After an accident, you will probably be shaken up.  But it is important to begin collecting evidence right away.  Your memory of the crash and the events leading up to the crash are freshest in your mind in the immediate moments after it occurs.  Settlement of your claim may not take place until months later, and important details about the crash risk getting lost.  Here are four types of car accident evidence that are important to collect to help you build a strong case.

Photographs.  Take pictures of everything.  Visual evidence is invaluable when describing the event to someone who was not at the scene.  Vehicle damage, vehicle positions, the road itself, license plates, and injuries, such as cuts and bruising, are all valuable images to have when building evidence for your case.  Take pictures from several angles using a good quality camera.  Cell phone cameras today are more than capable of capturing clear images, and are usually on hand to capture the photographic evidence you need.

Lawyers get a bad rap at times. We’ve all seen the late-night TV commercials touting overeager lawyers who seem obsessed about getting cold, hard cash and nothing else. The good news is that most lawyers aren’t actually like that. Most personal injury attorneys choose to become attorneys for one reason—they understand the complexities of the U.S. legal system and wish to help others obtain justice.

Want more good news? The idea that all attorneys are out to strike it rich is simply a myth. There’s no such thing as a “guaranteed win” personal injury case. Lawyers work hard to succeed with their cases and often place a great deal of reputation on the line when representing a client in a complex case. Law firms aren’t panning for gold. We’re looking to help those in need.

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in car crashes on United States roadways.  Driving is one of the more dangerous activities we engage in on a daily basis.  Recent research has shown that more than 94% of all accidents are caused by people and the irresponsible choices drivers make behind the wheel.  Understanding the common causes of car crashes can help drivers know what activities they need to avoid to stay safe.

Speeding.  Speeding is one of the most common risk factors for car crashes in 2017.  It is estimated that 30% of all driving accidents involve a driver who was speeding.  The fast pace we keep, traffic, and deadlines encourage drivers to speed every day.  But accidents involving excessive speed are also more likely to be deadly.  No deadline is worth the ultimate sacrifice.

After being involved in any type of car crash, you’ll most likely be advised to visit your nearest emergency room as soon as possible. Even if you are not in pain and do not notice any injuries right away, you’ll be advised to seek medical attention regardless. This advice is given as a precaution due to the fact that many symptoms from car accident injuries appear in a delayed manner.

Why are car accident injury symptoms often delayed? The answer to this question has to do with the trauma of being in a car accident and the toll that trauma takes on our bodies. Everyone reacts differently during traumatic experiences and being involved in a car accident is one such example of a traumatic event. We can never prepare 100% for a car accident so being in one is inherently traumatic and comes as a shock.

From the second you first notice brake lights flashing and tires squealing as a car crash happens before your eyes, your heart begins to race. You may frantically slam on your brakes or swerve to get out of the way of a tumbling passenger car or semi-truck. You may fumble for your phone, say a few prayers, or just close your eyes and wait for it to be over. There’s one thing you’re doing for certain at the onset of an accident if you have children, however. You’re going to do everything you can to keep them safe.

Here are 3 ways to protect your children during a car accident:

Get Off the Road

If you have room to maneuver the vehicle safely, turn off the road if possible or merge into other available lanes. If you see an out-of-control car heading your way, a quick swerve in the right direction can save the lives of everyone in your vehicle. Even if you’re clear of the crash itself, you may want to change lanes or get off the road immediately regardless. You never know when a piece of debris will head in your direction.

Truck accidents are different from regular car accidents because the truck driver and the company that employs the driver can both be held liable.  Truck drivers are required to follow company policies for safe driving and protocol for how to handle accidents when they occur.  Failure to do so can leave them and their employer liable for damages.  Knowing what to do after a truck accident can help you avoid making key mistakes that hurt your case.

Do not skip getting a police report.  A police report is an important part of your case.  An initial evaluation of the accident may appear as though little to no damage has been done.  And it may seem excessive to keep everyone involved waiting at the scene for an officer to arrive.  Even if it seems unnecessary, it is better to take the time to file an official report.  This provides official documentation of the crash, when and how it occurred, and will certainly be useful later in court.

Being involved in a car accident can set your entire life back weeks, months, or even years. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may find it almost impossible to recover the costs of your medical bills or lost wages. With the right type of car insurance coverage, however, you may be able to have an easier time recovering from a financially difficult situation.

The right type of insurance coverage can turn the tables during the aftermath of a car accident in a major way. Unfortunately, many Kentucky insurance agents don’t tell you what you need to know upfront. They may hide the coverage details within the small print or fail to tell you what the different types of coverage imply.

If you’ve been injured in a Kentucky car accident and have started to research your legal options, you might already be aware that you have a strict time limit, often referred to as a statute of limitations, to file a lawsuit against the other driver during. Kentucky statutes of limitations can be quite complex. If you’re wondering how long you have to file, knowing the details of your statute is imperative.

Beyond the details of your statute, knowing when to file a lawsuit almost always comes down to the specific details of your case. If you’re considering suing the other driver after a serious car crash, for example, you may want to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Once a lawyer agrees to take your case, you will be protected from any insurance adjusters who may try and hound you. This can give you peace of mind.

Were you seriously injured in a car, commercial truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident? If so, you might be concerned about being able to afford your medical bills. If your injuries forced you to miss quite a bit of work, you might also be worried about how you will continue to provide for yourself and your loved ones. Recovering from an auto accident is one of the most stressful situations a family can endure.

If you’re in the process of attempting to settle an insurance claim regarding the accident, there’s a very real possibility that the settlement offers you receive will be too low and will not cover the costs of the care you need. This is an unfortunate reality that many accident victims face. Luckily, you do have options.

Why are Insurance Settlement Offers Often Low?

When you sign up for auto insurance, the agency you sign up with will tell you that you’ll be in good hands if an accident should occur—no matter the nature of the accident or how serious it is. They may even tell you that you’ll have no issues receiving the financial assistance you need to recover from any injuries. Unfortunately, this generally never happens.

Why is that the case? It all boils down to money. In a car accident between two drivers, the insurance agencies of both drivers have a say. The insurance adjuster of the other driver will do everything in their power to get their client more money. This means that the settlement claims they send will likely be unfair to you and your injuries. If the adjuster is feeling particularly greedy, the claim you receive may not even be enough to pay for your basic medical needs—let alone any time spent off work.

If this happens, your own insurance agency may not be able to increase your received settlement amount. You will be asked to settle unless you wish to hire an attorney and fight the claim. It’s an extremely frustrating situation to be in—especially when you’re still trying to recover from your injuries.

Taking Action into Your Own Hands

As mentioned above, if you find yourself in this unfortunate predicament, you do have legal options. If you feel the accident was fully or partially caused by driver negligence, carelessness, or recklessness, you have a legal right to hire a Lexington, KY car accident lawyer who can fight on your behalf and demand a fair settlement. An attorney can ensure that you receive the full settlement amount you deserve—including financial help for any time you had to take off from work. These costs are often referred to as compensatory damages.

If you choose to go the route of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the guilty party, you may additionally be rewarded punitive damages on top of the expected compensatory damages. This extra amount can be used to help your family recover from any emotional hardships endured, for example.

Todd W. Burris is a personal injury lawyer who’s experienced in helping clients obtain full compensation and will do everything he can to ensure you and your loved ones are able to regain the lives you had before the accident. Contact our Lexington office to learn more and receive a 100% free consultation.

If you’ve been injured in a Kentucky car accident, the first place you’ll likely go is to your nearest emergency room. This is exactly where you should be. E.R. doctors will be able to tell you if there are any internal injuries that need to be treated immediately as well as set you up with medications, casts, splints, x-rays, or other tests that may be needed. If you require hospital time, you’ll be admitted at this point.

After you’re released from the E.R. and/or hospital, however, it can be difficult to know where to turn. If your E.R. doctor suggests following up with your primary care doctor, that may be the best course of action, but not necessarily. Depending on the severity of your injuries as well as if you are in a lot of pain and/or experiencing any mobility limitations, you may be better off seeking the help of a specialist.

How do you know if you should see a specialist? Here are two essential questions you should ask yourself before making a decision regarding what type of doctor to see next:

How well can your primary doctor treat your condition?

Your primary doctor will be able to assess your injuries, but they may not able to help treat them. They won’t know everything about the symptoms you’re experiencing and won’t be well-equipped to handle things like neck pain, back pain, excessive mobility limitations, and whiplash. If you see your primary care doctor for conditions like these, they may refer you to a pain specialist, an orthopedic doctor, or even a chiropractor.

You may be tempted to write off seeing a specialist due to the cost factor, but if your primary doctor isn’t equipped to handle your injuries or condition, your health should absolutely come first. You should also remember that it may be possible to reduce the costs of your medical care after any insurance settlements come through. Additionally, if you’re considering taking legal action regarding the accident, cost may be a non-issue if your case is successful.

Are you doing everything you can to get the best treatment possible?

Injuries from car accidents can often appear in a delayed manner. Minor symptoms like back pain, neck pain, or headaches can turn into serious neck or back conditions that can lead to lifelong implications and chronic pain. If you don’t get the medical care you need right away, you could potentially set yourself up for years of pain, discomfort, and mobility impairment.

Additionally, if you’re in the process of negotiating your Kentucky insurance settlement and/or personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove that your injuries are as severe as you’re claiming and that you’re doing everything you can to treat your injuries as quickly as possible. If you fail to do either, your lawsuit or settlement may not succeed.

You owe it to your future self to stay healthy today. You owe it to your loved ones to take care of yourself. After you’re discharged from the E.R. after a car crash, do yourself a favor and follow up with any specialists or doctors that are recommended to you by either your primary or emergency room doctor. Your future self will thank you.

If, at any time during the recovery process, you have any questions regarding legal matters pertaining to car accident injuries, feel free to contact a Lexington, KY car accident lawyer who cares. Todd W. Burris is happy to answer questions you may have or set up a free consultation to see if you’re eligible to file a legal claim against the other driver. Doing so may help you recover the costs of your medical care, enabling you to fully recover and get back on your feet again.