Monday, January 28, 2008

Auto Accident Legal Advice

You are in an auto accident and you have suffered injuries. But the first thing that comes to the mind is whether you need a legal advice on auto accident. But you need to protect your rights, whether to hire an auto accident lawyer. There are many other legal issues that should be considered after you meet with an auto accident.

The first and foremost question is do you really need a lawyers advise after an auto accident?

Generally speaking, it depends on what has happened and what injuries were suffered, and to whom. You need no legal advice on car accident if you and your family members have not been hurt. But if you or anyone from your family has been injured in the car accident, especially in case of any permanent injury, or significant loss of time from work or school or household duties, then you can seek legal advice on auto accident in order to represent your case in a claim against the person responsible for your injuries. Even if you or anybody is not injured it is important to look at the degree of the car accident and appropriately handle the matter through your insurer.

It is important to rush to a legal expert on an auto accident if there is

* A serious injury like broken bones or hospitalization or where injuries are likely to be permanent like paralysis
* A death has resulted from the accident;
* Other parties like pedestrians or other autos are involved
* The accident has occurred in a construction area;
* A police report does not accurately describe the accident and puts you at fault;
* Important technical, legal or medical issues are involved;
* You have no insurance, or your insurance company suggests that you did not pay your premium and acts indifferent
* Your insurer involves its own attorney

What kinds of compensation one might ask for after a car accident? You can get compensation on account of serious injuries where you require medical attention and may need rehabilitation, which are expensive. If you have lost income or had to use sick leave because of the accident you can get compensation. If your car is damaged because of the other parties fault and while your car is being repaired you have to rent another car. In addition to compensatory damages you can also demand punitive damages in extreme cases if you can prove that the accident was caused by the recklessness and irresponsible behavior of the driver.

Seek legal advice on auto accident as to determine who is at fault. It is one of the most critical elements in any auto accident. The person whose negligence caused the accident is definitely at fault and that he must pay for the damage caused by his or her negligence. The circumstances surrounding the accident only make it clear who is at fault. But sometimes the fault lies at both ends then the fault is apportioned between both the parties as determined by the specifics of the laws of the state on comparative or contributory negligence. When liability is shared in an auto accident, then the insurer decides on the relative percentages of fault of the parties involved.

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