Car Accidents

     Automobile accident cases are by far the most common personal injury claims pending in our court system today. There were over 6 million car accidents in the U.S. in 2000. There were about 3.2 million injuries and over 40,000 people were killed in auto accidents in 2000. That’s an average of 115 persons who die each day in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. - one every 13 minutes.
   
     Laws governing car accidents vary from state to state. Some states have adopted “no fault” liability laws that make everyone involved in the accident, in certain ways, responsible for their own damages.  In many states there are exceptions to these laws when someone sustains a
serious or permanent personal injury. Other states have “at fault” liability laws that require the person who caused the accident to pay damages for all parties involved.  The damages (compensation) accident victims may be entitled to include: pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages and medical expenses.

  
     Because of the complexity of laws governing motor vehicle accidents, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following an auto accident. It is not recommended that you speak with the insurance company of the individual who caused your accident without first speaking with an attorney. While it may be tempting to try and resolve your injury claim directly with the insurance company of the negligent party, studies have shown that accident victims represented by a personal injury lawyer fare much better financially than those who are not... even after taking into account the attorney’s fee.
    
     As a general rule, it is wise to seek legal advice immediately after you suspect you’ve been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, whether it’s medical malpractice, a car accident, a slip and fall, a dog bite, lead poisoning, a defective product, a work injury or other types of cases.