Car Accidents and Lawyers to Reduce Stress

Posted on: 5 March 2021

Those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel of their car are likely to witness or experience an occasional traffic accident, most of which will likely be minor in nature. But even a seemingly minor fender bender has the potential to become more serious, sometimes long after the scene has been cleared and the damaged vehicles were driven away. 

Whether your typical daily drive is a few blocks or many miles, this information can help you understand the potential risks you may face after a minor traffic accident and provide you with some helpful advice for minimizing those risks. 

1. When no injuries reported at the scene

Injuries to you, your passengers, or the occupants of another vehicle should always take priority over other concerns after any traffic accident occurs. In minor accidents, like fender benders, it is common for the accident report to note that no injuries were reported at the scene. 

Unfortunately, injuries related to the sudden impact of one car colliding with another or impacting a stationary object often go unnoticed during the aftermath of this type of minor accident. Whiplash and other injuries to the spine, neck, and shoulder region often do no not cause pain and stiffness until several hours or days after the causative incident. 

While most whiplash and spine injuries are real, drivers must also be aware that some people may try to falsely claim these types of injuries after a minor accident for financial gain. In either case, drivers who are involved in any type of minor traffic accident that involves other passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of another vehicle can get helpful advice for navigating their legal responsibilities by speaking with a competent car accident attorney. 

2. When fault is questioned

When traffic accidents occur, even minor ones, questions can arise as to which driver caused it to occur. Unless the accident occurred in a no-fault insurance state, the insurance of the at-fault driver is usually responsible for paying for the other vehicle's damage and any injuries incurred by the other driver or occupants. 

Traffic cameras, eyewitnesses, and visual evidence, such as skid marks, along with statements from the drivers and occupants can all be used to establish fault. In some cases, however, determining which driver was ultimately at fault can be difficult to prove. 

Additional issues can arise if the other driver gives false insurance or contact information, or when they do not have current insurance or a legal license to operate a motor vehicle. Individuals who find themselves facing any type of insurance issue after a minor accident may find they are unable to locate a driver who is determined to evade contact after an accident.  

Car accident attorneys have the connections and information to locate evasive drivers and hold them legally responsible for their involvement in traffic accidents of all types. 

When insurance companies fail to perform

Some vehicles involved in minor traffic accidents are fortunate to escape with no damage, but others are not. Since even minor vehicle damage can be expensive to repair, insurance companies usually provide a good customer service experience for their policyholder. Unfortunately, drivers with non-responsive car insurance providers often end up having to handle many of the steps involved in getting their vehicles repaired and the bills paid by their car insurance provider after an accident. 

Drivers who seek legal advice from a car accident attorney after any type of traffic accident are more likely to enjoy an improved experience when dealing with their vehicle's repair process and insurance settlement. A car accident attorney can review damage estimates and negotiate changes, help shorten the time frame for repairs and ensure that all bills relating to the accident are handled promptly by the insurance provider. 

If you have recently been involved in any type of vehicle accident, making an appointment to discuss the specific details of the incident is the best way to protect your legal interests and prevent complications from arising at a later date.