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Tag: collision

5 Steps to Take if You are in a Rear-End Collision

Written by kwmlaw on . Posted in Kelly & West News.

With rear-end collisions being the most common car accident, you are probably somewhat familiar with them or have even experienced one. Rear-end collisions occur when a vehicle crashes into another car that is directly in front of it. These accidents are generally the fault of the last car in the collision and most law enforcement officers will cite that driver since had that driver been more careful or followed less closely, the accident would not have occurred.

In the unfortunate case that you have been in a rear-end collision, you should be aware of what steps to take directly following the accident, and who to call if you have suffered any losses.

  1. Call the police. Call 911 and have a police officer come to the scene. A police officer can assess the situation and file a police report. A police report will create documentation of the collision and will also detail how the accident occurred and who is at fault, generally. This information is usually required by the insurance company before they pay a claim.
  2. Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you are hurt, be sure to seek medical attention to be checked out. Some injuries are not immediately obvious, such as internal injuries, so you want to be sure that you do not have a major problem and don’t know it so it’s a good idea to be checked out just in case.
  3. Exchange information and speak to witnesses. If both drivers cooperate and are willing to talk, you can exchange contact information so the claim may be more easily resolved. Share insurance company names and write down the information about that person’s vehicle. If there are any witnesses, collect their information and ask if they can provide a statement. Witness statements can be beneficial to you if you end up having to go to court.
  4. Take photos. Take photos of both cars and the scene if you can. You want to make sure to take photos that document the damage to your car, both up close and from a distance. We recommend that you take photos of the other car also as this may be the only chance you get to obtain these photos. Also, be sure to take pictures of the scene and any marks on the road, too. This helps document what happened and can be useful to send to the insurance company later.
  5. Contact a personal injury lawyer. Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer is the last, but perhaps the most important step. A Personal Injury Lawyer can help you gain the compensation you deserve from the accident. We can be there to guide you through the process and make sure you are compensated for your losses. You may want to hire a Personal Injury Lawyer early on in your claim so your attorney can preserve evidence and document your claim from the outset.

If you have been involved in a rear-end collision and you have been through physical or financial loss, contact our office at Kelly & West. Our experienced lawyers are here for you.

Victim of a Hit and Run? Here’s What To Do.

Written by kwmlaw on . Posted in DWI & Traffic Lawyer and Legal Services, Kelly & West News.

In the state of North Carolina, drivers have a duty to stop and exchange information in the event of a crash. A hit and run is when another person causes damage to your vehicle and then immediately flees the scene, leaving you to care for any damage on your own. Being a victim of a hit and run can be a very costly and stressful situation. If it happens to you, follow these steps to handle the situation the best way possible.

 

Call for Help

The first thing you should do after getting into a collision is to call 911 if you are injured or call the police to the scene to investigate if you are not injured.  Even if the damage isn’t severe, you’ll want to file a police report. It is possible that they might be able to catch the person that hit you if you give them enough information, and the quicker you report the accident the more likely it is that the authorities can track down the other party.

 

Collect as Much Information as Possible

Being involved in a collision is stressful, and can be disorienting. So, be alert as possible to your surroundings after you have been hit. The more information you can gather, the more the authorities can help you and potentially find the person that hit you.

Information to Collect

  • License plate number
  • Make, model, color, and approximate year of the car
  • Description of the driver
  • Time and location of the collision

You’ll want to note the context in which the accident took place and take pictures of any injuries or damage to your car for reference. Witnesses are a great resource, so if you see anyone near you, get their contact information.

 

Stay at the Location

Remaining at the scene gives first responders and emergency vehicles the best context for what happened. Only move your car if it is causing danger to you or others or if it is blocking an intersection or road. The damage caused by a collision might be more severe than it looks, so moving your car might damage your car more or even harm you. If you decide that it is best to move your car, move it to the side of the road as close to the scene of the collision as possible.

 

Contact Your Insurance Company

It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the claim. Insurance claims can take a long time to process so you want to get the process started. Insurance companies also want the most accurate information, so updating them quickly after is best. Your insurance company will want just as much information, if not more, than the emergency services. Be prepared to send pictures of the damage to make sure your needs are cared for completely.

Be prepared for a car accident by downloading our free car accident response guide (pdf).