Car Accident Lawyer Morgantown, WV

A car accident lawyer in Morgantown, WV knows that many people become involved in a car accident at some point in their life. Cars are essential for most people’s everyday lives, so it is important to know what to do if you ever find yourself involved in a car accident. You need to know the steps to take if you ever do find yourself in this situation. Try to remember these simple things if you find yourself the victim of a car accident. Never hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer in Morgantown, West Virginia from Hayhurst Law, PLLC to get assistance with your case. 

• Car Accident Lawyer Morgantown, WV
• Morgantown Car Accident Law Infographic/a>
• Important Types of Evidence for Car Accident Claims
• Morgantown Car Accident Law Statistics
• Top 5 Things Not To Say To An Insurance Agent
• Most Commonly Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims Evidence
• Hayhurst Law PLLC Morgantown Car Accident Lawyer
• Morgantown Car Accident Lawyer Google Review

Check Everyone for Injuries

Like you are instructed to do on a plane in the event of a crash, you need to check yourself before checking others for injuries. After all, if you are injured you will not be as helpful and will need to seek medical attention right away. Start by checking yourself, then move to the other people in your vehicle. Next, check to see if the people in the other vehicle are injured. If any injuries are moderate to severe, you will want to call an ambulance to the scene of the accident. Moreover, what should also be recommended, is for potential injuries to be checked out later even if injuries at the time are not visible. 

One of the reasons why is because sometimes certain injuries are not visible or felt at first.  However, these invisible injuries can get more severe and cause permanent damage if they are not taken care of in a quick and efficient manner.  One of the strongest examples of this pertains to what is known as whiplash.  Whiplash can occur when people get into vehicle accidents as well as plane accidents as well.  Whiplash involves neck injuries that may not always be visible at first and you may not experience pain at first either. However, if not taken care of, pain can become more and more severe and the sustained neck injury can become permanent.  This is why it is important to get x-rays after serious accidents. 

Call the Police

You should always have a police officer come to the scene of an accident to see what happened and write a police report. This will ensure that you have evidence to show in court or even while negotiating for a settlement. The police officer will take notes of each individual’s personal information as well as a report of what appears to have happened and who is likely at fault for the accident. Moreover, when a person is at the scene of an accident or crime it is important that they do not leave the scene. If they do, the person may be questioned in relation to why they felt the need to leave in the first place. Additionally, anything that the person said (if they are suspected of being responsible for causing harm to someone), can and will be used against them in a court of law.

Take Photos and Collect Evidence

While at the scene of the accident, it is important to take as many photos as you can. As long as it is safe to get out of your vehicle, you can grab evidence with your phone. This could also include taking witness statements by recording voice memos on your phone. Witnesses are notorious for forgetting what happened very quickly, so it is crucial to collect these statements at the scene of the accident if possible. The police officer will likely take witness accounts but it can’t hurt to take your own notes as well. 

Morgantown Car Accident Law Infographic

Important Types of Evidence for Car Accident Claims

If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. However, in order to have a successful claim, you have to present the proper evidence. Here are several important pieces of evidence for car accident claims.

Medical Records

One of the first things you should do after a car accident is get checked out by a doctor. He or she will accurately diagnose your injuries and suggest the appropriate treatment. It is important to obtain copies of your medical records as soon as possible. These records will include information like your diagnostic test results, treatments, medication, and your progress. Medical records will prove that you did indeed sustain injuries from the car accident.

Police Reports

If a car accident resulted in property damage or bodily injuries, you should immediately call the police. They will come to the scene of the accident and file a police report which will include vital information such as the names of everyone involved, drivers’ speed, and road conditions. Don’t forget to obtain a copy of the police report. The report can’t be used in court, but it can be useful in settlement negotiations.

Photos Of The Accident Scene

Photos of the accident are one of the most useful pieces of information you can have for your car accident claim. Try to capture clear shots of everything, including all the vehicles involved in the accident, visible injuries, and road conditions. Photos can demonstrate how the accident occurred, the vehicles involved and who was at fault. You don’t need a fancy camera to take these photos. A smartphone camera will do just fine. If you are too hurt to take these photos yourself, don’t hesitate to ask a bystander for help.

Witness Statements

If there were witnesses present at the accident scene, your Morgantown car accident lawyer may advise you to obtain their names and contact information. They can enhance the legitimacy of your claim by stating what happened before and after the accident.

Vehicle Repair Bills

If your vehicle sustained damage during the car accident, you’ll want to keep copies of your repair bills from the mechanic. These bills will establish exactly how much it cost to fix your vehicle.

Morgantown Car Accident Law Statistics

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the State of West Virginia have compiled a data-rich report assessing traffic accidents within the state during a four-year period. During those years West Virginia saw 20.56 deaths for every 100K residents. By comparison, the national rate is 12.38 per 100,000.

The top 5 counties in West Virginia with the highest fatalities due to speeding were:

1. Kanawha County
2. Raleigh County
3. Mercer County
4. Cabell County
5. Harrison County

Top 5 Things Not To Say To An Insurance Agent

After you have been in a car accident, you may want to give the insurance company a piece of your mind. Being upset and even angry after a car accident is a totally normal response. On the other hand, you may be someone who brushes things off easily and may be willing to tell an insurance agent that you are fine or recovering well. However, it is important to understand that there is a certain way you should speak with an insurance agent and that there are things you should–and shouldn’t–tell them. If you want to know how best to speak with an insurance agent, read on. 

Insurance agents are trained to get as much information possible out of you so that they can use this information to save their company money. They may come across as caring and hoping that you are doing okay. In reality, they want to use the information you provide against your own personal injury claim. Below, you will learn about some of the top things you need to avoid saying when you speak with an insurance agent. 

• “That was my fault.” Under no circumstances should you take the blame for anything that caused–or partially caused–the accident to happen. Even if you think you might be partially responsible, you are not legally obligated to admit this to the insurance agent you are speaking with. Do not accept blame and do not apologize. 

• “I’m feeling fine.” This is another issue that can come up with people who speak with insurance agents. Many people often respond to “how are you doing/feeling?” by saying “I’m fine.” However, an insurance agent could use this trivial phrase to say that you are feeling better and will not need compensation to recover from your injuries.

• The names of anyone involved. If you spoke with friends or family about the accident or have a list of witnesses, you do not need to give the insurance company this information. They will likely try to contact them to get more information out of them that they can use against you for your claim.  

• A recorded statement. When you tell an insurance agent that they can take a recorded statement of you speaking with them, this gives them the ammunition they will need when arguing against their claim. No good can come from a recorded statement unless your lawyer says otherwise and you are not obligated to give them one. 

• Accepting their offer. The insurance agent may be ready to give you an offer when they are on the phone with you. It is imperative that you do not accept this offer. Your lawyer will have a good idea of what type of compensation you deserve after an accident and you should always speak with them before accepting any type of settlement offer. 

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