Knowing your Car Accident Rights
We are a claims management company and receive payment from our partnered law firms. If your free claim assessment is successful, you will be connected to a specialist law firm.
So many of us take the ability to hop into our car and travel wherever we like as a given. That is until we lose that very freedom to do so. In short, knowing your car accident rights is important.
Effectively, it can be an extremely traumatic occurrence, especially if it wasn’t your fault. As a result of the collision, you may have suffered serious injury and damage to the vehicle.
If so, it’s essential to understand and protect your car accident rights, particularly if the accident is caused by someone else’s carelessness.
Have you been injured as a passenger in a car accident? If so, you may be able to claim for:
- General damages: This would cover any pain, suffering and injuries sustained during the accident.
- Special damages: This would reimburse you if you’ve suffered financially due to the injury. For example, special damages would cover loss of earnings, care-related costs, travel costs, or equipment.
These are your car accident rights:
To call 999
Whether or not you’re at fault, you have every right to call emergency services if required and receive necessary treatment. Even if the other party:
- pleads with you not to phone for emergency help, or;
- is keen to resolve the case between you both.
Not all injuries are immediately obvious, so it’s important that you seek appropriate medical attention as soon as possible.
A police report is also an important form of evidence when dealing with insurance and making a claim. Therefore, don’t let the other party talk you out of calling emergency services..
To talk to witnesses
If you notice any witnesses around, you need them on the record. Take note of their name and contact details, as it’s information you may need these for insurance or compensation purposes.
You should always encourage any witnesses to recall their point of view of what they saw to the police. In turn, their testimony is a vital aspect of the police report and results in you getting what you deserve.
To remain silent
After the accident has occurred, you have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to contact the other party, their insurance company or solicitors.
If the other party continuously and needlessly harasses you over the case, you need to alert the police.
Not to apologise
Although you’re in shock after the accident, try to maintain calm. Above all, continually apologising to the other party is a No-No. Such a simple phrase can determine whether or not you will end up taking full responsibility for the accident.
Therefore, even if you believe you’re in the wrong, wait until the release of the details before you settle on taking the blame.
To receive car accident compensation
If you were injured in the accident or your vehicle was damaged, you have the right to make a claim against the person or group of people responsible for the incident.
Always be sure to take as many photographs as you can. Namely, pictures of the damage to both vehicles as well as external injuries you may suffer from.
If you think you’re suffering from a severe injury, it’s wise to make a medical injury claim. Also be sure to capture photos of road conditions, street signs or any other potential collision factors.
How your insurance affects car accident rights
Unfortunately, your car insurance is likely to increase after an accident, whether the accident was your fault or not.
This is because the car insurance company bases its premium rates on the likelihood of you having an accident again in the future, even if this accident was not your fault.
However, your individual circumstances will be a determining factor in your new premium quote for next year. For example, how comprehensive your policy is, if it accounts for any third-party claims, and fault (whether you were directly at fault for the accident, partly to blame or whether your car was stationary).
How to make a car accident compensation claim
Making a car accident injury claim is easier than you think.
First, you’ll need to call The Compensation experts. One of our friendly, professional experts will be able to talk to you about your car accident circumstances,
Next, your eligibility to make a car accident injury claim will be assessed. If successful, you will be matched with a specialist law firm who will support you throughout the process – from requesting car accident compensation to negotiating on your behalf to achieve a fair settlement.
You’ll be required to share your evidence (including medical records) of the accident to help form the basis of your claim. They will also request the contact details of potential witnesses that might be used to strengthen your car accident injury claim.
To find out more about if you could claim for a car accident, contact The Compensation Experts today.
