5 Steps to Take Immediately After a Auto Collision
About 43 thousand people die in auto collisions every year. Meanwhile, about 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries.
Without help, you might have to pay for property damages, medical bills, and lost wages out of pocket. In fact, the economic and societal impact of car crashes costs about $871 billion each year.
Unfortunately, not many people realize what to do immediately after an auto collision.
Here are the five steps you need to take immediately after a car crash. With these tips, you can gather the evidence you need to build your case. Then, you can file a lawsuit and receive the compensation you deserve.
With the help of a qualified car accident lawyer, you can make your case!
Get started with these tips today.
1. Move to Safety
It’s normal to feel confused and disoriented immediately after a crash. First, take a breath. Try to remain calm.
How you react immediately after an auto collision could impact your case. You don’t want to say or do anything that could make you appear liable for the crash. Reacting in anger could impact your lawsuit as well.
Instead, catch your breath. Assess your injuries.
Are you able to move? If so, try to move your car out of traffic right away. You’ll want to reduce the chance of another accident.
If you experience any flashes of pain, don’t risk moving. You don’t want to develop a spinal injury. Instead, call for help.
Don’t leave the scene of the crash. Otherwise, the police could charge you with a hit-and-run. Instead, remain near the site of the accident.
Seeking Treatment
You might not realize the severity of your injuries until days, weeks, or even months after the crash. Adrenaline could mask a severe car crash injury. It’s important to visit a medical professional right away.
Only a doctor can assess your health. Their professional assessment could benefit your case.
Don’t wait too long to visit a doctor. Otherwise, the insurance company could claim you sustained your injuries after the accident.
A doctor can schedule image testing to note the severity of your car crash injuries. They’ll determine if you have a spinal injury, whiplash, or internal injuries. Whiplash symptoms can include:
- Neck stiffness
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the hand or arm
- Numbness in the hand or arm
- Ringing in your ears
- Sleeplessness
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Memory problems
- Blurred vision
If you have internal injuries, it’s important to seek medical treatment right away. Visiting a doctor immediately after the crash will ensure you receive treatment. Otherwise, you might not get help until it’s too late.
Make sure to continue seeking treatment after your car crash. Keep track of the doctors you visit, the medications you take, and the treatments you receive. Your car accident lawyer will use these records to prove your losses.
2. Call the Police
Don’t hesitate to call the police. In some states, you’re legally obligated to file a police report after an auto collision. The official police report will also benefit your case.
While you wait for the police to arrive, avoid small talk. Don’t discuss the severity of your injuries, either. If anyone asks, say only a medical professional can assess your health.
When the police arrive, make sure to stick to the facts. Don’t embellish.
Make a note of the police officer’s name and badge number. Your car accident attorney might need to contact them in the future.
Ask the police officer for a copy of their official police report.
3. Gather Evidence
Take a moment to gather evidence while you wait for the police to arrive. Otherwise, someone might clean up the scene of the crash after you leave. You’ll need visual evidence to support any claims you make.
A judge and jury are more likely to believe your claims if you have evidence to support your side of the story.
Gather photo and video evidence immediately after the car accident. Take photos of the:
- Cars involved in the crash at all angles
- Street view and street signs
- Nearby buildings and landmarks
- Specific damages to your car
- Your own injuries
You’ll need to gather information about the other driver, too. Make sure to exchange your contact and insurance information before the police arrive. You’ll need the drivers:
- Full name
- Phone number
- License number
- License plate number
- Insurance company and policy number
- The make, model, and year of their vehicle
Remember not to admit fault when you speak with the driver. Don’t apologize for what happened, either. An apology is an admission of fault.
4. Call the Insurance Company
Call your insurance company while you’re still at the scene of the auto collision. Some insurance companies require you to use an app to file your claim. Make sure to have the app downloaded before you’re in an accident.
Follow your insurance agent’s instructions for filing your car accident claim.
5. Find a Lawyer
If you want to file a lawsuit, it helps to have a talented lawyer at your side. Your car accident lawyer can use the evidence you gathered to prove you weren’t at fault. Otherwise, you might struggle to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company.
The other party’s insurance company will want to pay you as little as possible. They could argue you were negligent for the crash. They might argue your injuries weren’t as intense as you claimed.
There are about six million car accidents in the US every year. Make sure to find a lawyer who focuses on car accidents.
An experienced car accident attorney will know how to file your claim. They’ll avoid making costly mistakes that could cause a delay.
With their help, you can prove the other driver was negligent.
Then, you can fight to receive the compensation you need to cover your losses.
Make Your Case: 5 Steps to Take After an Auto Collision
Don’t hesitate to call a car accident lawyer. With their help, you can file a claim and receive the compensation you deserve. You can cover your losses after an auto collision without stress.
Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. Instead, find a qualified car accident lawyer who will fight by your side.
Want to file a claim? We can help.
Schedule a free consultation with our team today to get started.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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The Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents and How to Avoid Them
74% of passenger vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities involved a large truck.
Being the victim of a car accident is bad enough. But once you start adding up the cost of damages or even medical bills, it can easily get worse.
What should you know before it happens to you?
Learn more about trucking accidents and what you should do if you’re involved in one below.
Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Whether you are a trucker or someone who drives often, you need to know the dangers on the road.
There are a large number of reasons that truck accidents occur. Knowing some of the most common large truck accidents causes can help you avoid them.
Roadway Problems
If the road is not kept up, it can lead to accidents when drivers don’t notice the issues ahead of time. For instance, large potholes or broken barriers that have fallen into the road can be hard to avoid.
Truckers especially often drive at night, which is when these types of problems would be even harder to see and be proactive against.
Drunk, Tired, or Distracted Driving
28% of deaths caused by traffic-related incidents are due to drunk or alcohol-impaired driving.
Being fatigued while driving is also a big problem. Because it leads to more errors and less attention on the road. In the commercial trucking industry, especially driver fatigue is a major concern due to the long hours worked.
Combine this with unsafe driving conditions, such as poor weather, and it creates a recipe for disaster.
Distracted driving is just as big of an issue as driving while tired. Texting, talking on the phone, or even browsing social media (among other things) are all common occurrences that may lead to accidents.
Malfunctioning Vehicles
If there are mechanical or electrical problems in a vehicle or tractor trailer, it leads to malfunctions that the driver didn’t anticipate. This can obviously lead to accidents because it is unexpected and can happen at any moment.
Failing to maintain the truck or vehicle is a huge issue and can result in dangerous driving environments for anyone on the road.
Speeding
People speed on the road because they want to get where they’re going as quickly as possible. For truckers, this may be because of schedule restraints or increased pressure from their job.
In some situations, vehicles may try to overtake trucks (even those that are speeding) because they want to get away from the truck or get in front of the drivers near them.
This can sometimes lead to the vehicle getting caught in the cross-wind of the truck or being blown over by the air turbulence, but can be dangerous for several other reasons as well.
Do Trucking Accidents Always Lead to a Lawsuit?
Trucking accidents and the lawsuits that can come from them are different than those that come from general car accidents. Many times, the other driver will try to file a lawsuit against the trucker or the trucking company.
One of the big differences to be aware of is that one of the drivers is not always going to be liable for the accident. A lawyer can help you determine who is actually at fault in these situations.
It may be the employer, trucking company, or even the insurance provider that is liable for the accident damages.
Many truck drivers are either self-employed, employed by multiple trucking companies, or employed by one trucking company. Depending on the situation, the trucking accident lawsuit may look different!
If you’re filing a lawsuit against a truck driver or if you’re a truck driver who was involved in an accident, it’s important to understand these major differences.
Lawsuits Against Self-Employed Truckers
In this situation, it can be hard to determine who is liable if the trucker is at fault. Compensation may come from the driver, the insurance company, or the company that the trucker is contracted to drive for.
Lawsuits Against Employed Truckers
For truckers at fault who work at different companies, the compensation requirement may fall on the insurance company or the company that they were working for at the time of the accident. In some circumstances, the liability may fall on the manufacturer who made the goods being transported.
If the trucker was operating the truck correctly and following the company’s rules, the truck accident attorney will have to prove that in order to hold the company itself liable for the accident.
Tips to Avoid Trucking Accidents as a Trucker
As a trucker, you have to be aware of what others are doing on the road and potentially be more proactive than the average driver. You’re operating a much bigger piece of machinery, and your reaction time is crucial.
The first thing to do is to take your time. It’s important to meet your deadlines, but you absolutely have to be methodical and careful while on the road (especially if you’re just starting out).
You also want to be sure that you know where the other vehicles are around you. It’s crucial that you’re aware of what other drivers are doing. Especially if they seem to be changing lanes or speeding more than other vehicles.
Take the time to really look at your truck before you take off, and make sure that you have completed a pre-trip inspection before you actually get started on the road.
Get enough rest, eat healthy foods, and stay hydrated. All of these things will help you address your focus where it needs to be – the road.
Do You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident and need to speak with an attorney, we have you covered.
Our experience at RHINO Lawyers is exactly what you want to get the compensation you’re entitled to as a result of trucking accidents.
We are available 24/7, so contact us to get the help you need today.
CONTACT A TAMPA TRUCKING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a trucking accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
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The Major Benefits of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer is the best thing you can do after getting into an accident.
Motorcycle accidents can happen at any moment and often cause a lot of damage. Between personal injuries and totaled vehicles, motorcycle accidents can cost victims a ton of money. If you weren’t the one that caused the accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for anything.
Fortunately, you can hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to provide you with several benefits after your accident.
Finding the best motorcycle accident lawyer requires nothing more than a quick Google search. We’ll go over how a lawyer can help you so that you can immediately start looking for one.
Here are the major benefits of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer!
Seek Compensation
The main benefit of hiring a motorcycle accident is being able to seek compensation for injuries and damages. While you could attempt this alone, having a motorcycle accident attorney will help you significantly because of their knowledge.
Without a lawyer, you’d have to go through a variety of steps to file the motorcycle accident lawsuit. Aside from that, you’d need to go out of your way to do things that’ll show the court you deserve compensation. However, a lawyer can take care of everything for you.
Collect Better Evidence
Collecting evidence is something that many people struggle with, but motorcycle accident attorneys know what to look for that’ll prove you’ve been wronged.
When you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, they’ll seek videos, photos, and eyewitness testimonies. Each of these three together will ensure that you have enough evidence to present at court.
Before going to court, you’ll most likely meet with the other party to negotiate a settlement. If you present this evidence to them, they’ll be more likely to pay you without going to court.
When it comes to getting video evidence, they’ll look around the area of the accident for surveillance cameras. Provided that the video evidence shows everything clearly, it can apply a lot of pressure to the defendant.
Get Represented In Court
Another major benefit of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer is having them represent you in court. If you don’t have a lawyer when filing a lawsuit, you’ll be responsible for speaking at all times in the courtroom. However, legal representation can relieve you of many things.
In court, they’ll ask the defendant various questions to unravel the full story. They’ll also go over how the evidence you’ve gathered fits your story.
Whenever you’re asked to speak, your lawyer can give you advice so that you don’t say anything incorrectly. This will ensure that the entire process goes smoothly.
Receive Guidance
Aside from getting advice while in court, you can receive general guidance from the best motorcycle accident attorney throughout your entire case.
Whenever you have a question about something, they can give you a simple answer so that you understand everything. During this time, it’s best to gather as much information as you can for the future. Should you get into another accident, knowing legal terms and processes will help you get compensation quicker.
File the Correct Paperwork
Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit will require a plethora of paperwork, which will be difficult to fill out if you’ve never done it before. Fortunately, a motorcycle accident attorney can get the correct paperwork for you and file most things on your behalf.
Whenever they need you to file something, they’ll tell you how to do it. They’ll also let you know what each document is for so you don’t get confused during the process.
You’ll need to fill out various things that outline why you’re filing a lawsuit, who it’s against, and more. Without the correct paperwork, you’ll only delay the process.
Go Through the Legal Process Quicker
Paperwork isn’t the only thing that takes a long time in the legal process. Every step will require a lot of time and attention. Unless you have a lawyer, you’ll most likely be waiting a long time to get compensation, even if you’ve done things correctly.
The best motorcycle accident attorney will avoid having you go through unnecessary steps and will actively do things for you. This is also the best way to approach motorcycle accident cases because it shows urgency, which judges want to see.
Understand the Outcome
When going into a motorcycle accident lawsuit, you may be wondering what’ll happen to your case. Fortunately, a personal injury attorney can give you a rough estimate of how much compensation you may be eligible for.
The exact amount will vary depending on a variety of factors. Things like vehicle damage, medical expenses, and income can all factor into the amount you can seek.
If your motorcycle is totaled and you have a ton of medical expenses, you can expect to get a lot of money. The same thing applies if you’re forced to stay home without income.
The best motorcycle accident attorney will have all the numbers you need to know so you can go into your case with a clear mind.
Start Looking for a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Anyone that’s gotten into a motorcycle accident should hire a lawyer as soon as possible to determine if they’re eligible for compensation. Provided that you aren’t at fault, you should be able to get money to pay for any losses caused as a result of the accident.
If you live in the Tampa, FL area, contact us now to find out how we can assist you. Those that live elsewhere can still use our resources to find a suitable motorcycle accident lawyer.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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7 Questions to Ask Your Potential Truck Accident Attorney
Were you aware that hiring a truck accident attorney can ensure you get compensated after an accident?
Finding the right truck accident attorney is crucial because they’ll be the one you communicate with throughout your case. Fortunately, finding the best truck accident attorney doesn’t take long because you can ask them several questions to determine if they’d be a good fit.
Here at RHINO Lawyers, we care about our clients, so we’ll save you some time by outlining the best questions to ask. You’ll not only be able to determine whether the attorney will be a good fit, but you’ll also get a good idea of how your case will go.
These are 7 questions to ask your potential truck accident attorney during the consultation!
1. How Much Experience Do You Have?
One of the most important questions to ask a truck accident lawyer is about their experience. This is crucial because it’ll give you a better idea of which questions to ask and whether you should find another lawyer.
When hiring a highly experienced truck accident lawyer, you’ll be more likely to win your case. However, they may charge more for their services. You can ask them for references to ensure they’re telling the truth about their experience.
2. What Do You Focus ON?
While you may be tempted to start working on your case as soon as possible, you can’t go with the first lawyer you see. Even if they have a ton of experience, you must ensure that the lawyer focuses on truck accidents.
Having a lawyer who focuses on truck accidents will increase your odds of winning because they’ll know exactly how to approach the case. For example, they’ll start gathering substantial evidence from the moment you hire them.
If you hire a lawyer who focuses on something else, they most likely won’t know what to say in court. Although they may have a lot of knowledge in one area, truck accident cases come with entirely different processes.
3. How Have Your Past Cases Gone?
Similar to asking a potential truck accident lawyer about their experience, you should learn about the outcomes of their past cases. A lawyer can know a plethora of laws, but their win rate is what determines whether they’re effective at their job.
After getting references, ensure that you reach out to various people to find out how their cases went. Providing that the lawyer wins most of their cases, you shouldn’t have a problem working with them.
4. How Much Do You Charge?
Filing a truck accident lawsuit can cost a lot of money, especially when you hire a lawyer. However, hiring a truck accident lawyer can ensure you get compensation when injured in an accident.
Before hiring any lawyer, find out how much they’ll charge for your case. Lawyers often charge different rates depending on the type of case you have.
If you can find a lawyer that’ll agree to a contingency fee arrangement, you won’t have to pay anything unless you win the case. This is often offered by those with extremely high win rates, so you could feel more confident about getting compensation.
5. What’s Your Preferred Contact Method?
Communication is one of the most important aspects of working with a truck accident lawyer. If you can’t find a lawyer that prefers the same contact method as you, you’ll have a hard time getting things done. This will also prevent you from understanding everything that’s going on with your case.
If you’re someone that prefers to communicate via email, find a lawyer that also does. If you’d like to exchange text messages occasionally throughout the week, your lawyer must also like that.
Those that don’t care about which communication method will have more options, but you must find someone similar to you if you think it’s important. No matter which method you use, ensure that the lawyer will keep you informed often.
6. What Type of Approach Do You Take?
Every lawyer has a unique style that sets them apart from others. However, you need to find a lawyer that has a style with which you agree.
For example, some truck accident lawyers take a more “forward” approach when it comes to speaking in the courtroom. This often involves bombarding the defendant with questions, which would result in an unfriendly settlement.
Those seeking compensation without added stress should find a calmer lawyer that can produce the same results.
7. What Will Likely Happen with My Case?
A truck accident lawsuit will result in you getting either compensation or nothing at all. When looking for the best truck accident attorney, you should ask them about what they think the most realistic outcome of your case is.
You’ll need a lawyer that’s realistic to prevent you from feeling mislead if you don’t get as much money as you’d like. A truck accident attorney will tell you how much they think you can get based on the injuries, damages, and evidence.
If you already have substantial evidence, they’ll most likely tell you that you can get compensated. However, it’ll be difficult to say how much you could get if it’s hard to prove that the other party is at fault.
Hire the Best Truck Accident Attorney Today
After reading this article, you now have a better idea of how to find the best truck accident attorney. If you’ve recently been in a semi-truck crash, we encourage you to start looking for an attorney as soon as possible.
Anyone that lives outside of the Tampa, FL area should look online for local attorneys. Ensure that you compare several attorneys before hiring one by asking them these questions and seeing how they respond.
Contact us for a free consultation to learn about how we can help you with your case!
CONTACT A TAMPA TRUCKING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after an auto accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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The Common Types of Traffic Tickets in Florida
Are you confused about Florida traffic tickets? Whether you are a native Floridian or just driving through the Sunshine State, it’s important to know the different kinds of traffic tickets so you can avoid getting pulled over.
We’re going to break down three of the most common traffic citations in Florida, their penalties, and how they will affect your driving record. We’ll also talk about how to fight traffic tickets to get the penalties reduced or overturned.
By the end of this guide, you will be an expert in Florida traffic tickets. Let’s get started.
Florida Traffic Tickets Points System
In Florida, there is a points system that applies to moving traffic violations. Each different type of citation has a point value, and if you accrue too many points, your driver’s license may get suspended or revoked completely.
For instance, if get 12 points over 12 months, your license will get suspended for 30 days. If you get 18 points over 18 months, it will get suspended for three months. Finally, if you get 24 points over 36 months, it will get suspended for a whole year.
Every time you get points for a moving violation, your auto insurance will also go up. In some cases, you can have your points reduced if you take a defensive driving course.
Let’s go over three common kinds of traffic tickets in Florida and the point value for each one.
1. Careless Driving
A number of things fall under careless driving, which is why it is such a common citation. Essentially, careless driving is when you are not driving in a safe and courteous way.
If you are reckless with your turns, lane changes, speed, and anything else that could result in an accident that is your fault, you will likely get a careless driving citation. For instance, if you start swerving to avoid something on the road and crash into another car, you may be issued a careless driving citation.
Unlike reckless driving, careless driving is not a criminal offense. Whether or not you’re charged with careless driving is completely up to the police officer who pulls you over.
Careless driving adds four points to your record, and you may get fined $500. However, you can challenge careless driving citations. A good traffic lawyer can get your penalties lowered or get the entire citation overturned.
To avoid careless driving charges, always drive responsibly and with consideration for others. Don’t swerve, change lanes too fast without signaling, drive over the speed limit, or make reckless turns.
You should also make sure to keep your car well maintained so that a defect doesn’t end up as a careless driving charge.
2. Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is similar to careless driving, but it’s more serious because it’s a criminal offense. Because reckless driving is when you willfully disregard the safety of other people or property.
Fleeing a law enforcement officer when you’re getting pulled over can also get you a reckless driving charge. Other examples of reckless driving include:
- Driving on/over medians and shoulders
- Swerving or weaving between lanes
- Excessive speeding
About 25% of drivers charged with reckless driving in Florida are found guilty, so if you get this charge, you can challenge it.
If you are found guilty, you will get four points on your driving record. Depending on whether or not there was property damage or injuries, you will also face other penalties.
Your first reckless driving offense can result in a $25-500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Your second offense will get you a $50-1000 fine and up to six months in jail. However, if there were injuries or property damage involved, these penalties drastically increase.
Property damage and minor injuries are a first-degree offense, and you may face a $1000 fine and up to a year in jail. If a serious bodily injury occurred, you will be charged with a third-degree offense, and face a $5000 fine and up to five years in prison.
Avoid reckless driving charges by studying the traffic laws in Florida and making sure you abide by them on the road. Never drive in a way that puts yourself or others in danger.
Wet Reckless
Florida drivers can also get charged with a “wet reckless” citation, which is when you are driving recklessly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is a lesser charge than a DUI, so sometimes it’s used as a bargaining chip to avoid full DUI charges.
If you get charged with a wet reckless, you will face all the usual reckless driving penalties and have to take a course on driving under the influence. In some cases, you may also have to complete treatment for substance abuse.
3. Running a Stop Sign or Red Light
Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light is one of the most common traffic citations in Florida. The fines and penalties are not as severe as careless or reckless driving, but they can still make an impact on your insurance prices.
You will typically face a fine between $70-200 and have three points added to your driving record. However, red-light camera tickets only include a fine and don’t add points to your record.
You can always challenge a stop sign or red light citation, especially if a stop sign is hard to see. In some cases, you may be able to complete a driving course to have your fine and points reduced.
To avoid these kinds of traffic tickets, always make a complete stop at stop signs and red lights. Never speed through a yellow light, and never turn right on red if there’s a sign that prohibits it.
Fight Traffic Tickets with RHINO Lawyers
At RHINO Lawyers, we work hard to guarantee you won’t have fines or points added to your record for basic traffic tickets. Additionally, if you receive traffic citations that include criminal charges, don’t try to resolve them on your own. You need an experienced defense team to represent you.
Get in touch with RHINO Lawyers today so we can get started on your case.
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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