Traffic Accidents FAQ

Questions:

• What should I do if I'm involved in a traffic accident?
• What determines who is at fault in a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle accident?
• Can I be found liable if my car is rear-ended in a crash?
• Is a car making a left turn always at fault in an accident?
• What if one of the accident victims was also at fault?
• If a motorcyclist isn't wearing a helmet, can they still recover for injuries caused by another driver?
• If I am the victim of a trucking accident, who can I sue?
• If a bike and car collide, who is at fault for the accident?

Answer:

What should I do if I'm involved in a traffic accident?

Take notes. The most important thing you can do is to document the entire situation by taking careful notes soon after your accident. This step can help make the entire claim process easier on you -- and increase your chances of receiving all the compensation to which you are entitled. Having notes to remind you of all the details of what happened, and what you went through, is far easier and far more accurate than relying on your memory.

Write things down as soon as you can: Begin with what you were doing and where you were going, the people you were with, the time, and the weather. Include every detail of what you saw, heard, and felt. Be sure to add anything you remember hearing anyone -- a person involved in the accident or a witness -- say about the accident.

Finally, make daily notes of the effects of your injuries. You may suffer pain, discomfort, anxiety, loss of sleep, or other problems which are not as visible or serious as another injury, but for which you should demand additional compensation. (To learn more about what kind of information to track and record, see Nolo's article Take Notes After an Accident or Injury.)