March 2, 2023
Car Accident Q&A: Statistics, Settlements, and When to Call an Attorney
We’re answering your most-asked questions about car accidents. From questions about health insurance and Medicare coverage after an accident to settlements and when exactly you should involve a lawyer—we’re talking about all of it!
How Many Car Accidents Happen Per Year?
With more than 284 million cars on the road in America, it should be no surprise that car accidents are a frequent occurrence. However, how frequent of an occurrence may shock you. There are approximately 13 car accidents every minute. On an annual basis, this results in more than 40,000 vehicle-related deaths; the leading causes of which include not using a seatbelt, speeding, and distracted driving (e.g., texting, driving drowsy, intoxication, etc.). The total economic cost of all these car accidents totals in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
How Much Money to Expect from a Car Accident Settlement?
You’ve been in a car accident and decide to file a lawsuit for pain and suffering, but what kind of outcome can you expect if you win the lawsuit? Well, ultimately it depends on the circumstances of your case. Factors that can influence this total payout include your level of insurance coverage (most states have insurance coverage requirements and minimums), the level of liability of the other party, the level of your injuries, any lost wages as a result of your injuries from the accident, as well as other potentially relevant state laws. Make sure to consult with a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents in order to maximize your claim.
Who Is at Fault in an Accident When Backing Up?
This is a great question and one of the most common types of car accidents with more than 30,000 incidents per year. And while these often happen in parking lots, this is certainly not always the case, and these types of accidents can still lead to severe injury.
Are you at fault if you get into an accident while you are backing up your vehicle? The answer will be determined by your state law. In most cases, the moving vehicle is almost always at fault. That said, most state laws require a driver to yield to a vehicle that is reversing. However, it still needs to be determined:
- Who had the right of way?
- Was one or more of the vehicles stationary at the time of the accident?
- Was impaired driving involved in any way?
How Long Do You Have to Report Your Car Accident to Insurance?
How long you have to report a car accident to your insurance depends largely on the requirements of your insurance provider. Some may require a report in as little as 24 hours, while others may give you as long as a year to submit a claim. Regardless of requirements, best practice is to report your accident as close to the time of the actual events as possible in order to most accurately represent the damage, evidence, and facts.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
We’ve covered the answer to this question in a previous blog post, which we will link to here for a more in-depth review should you be interested. If you’ve been in a car accident, the most important steps are to:
- Immediately seek medical attention
- Download and fill out our Car Accident Checklist
- Collect evidence
- Contact an attorney!
A car accident lawyer can help you file your claim and work with the insurance provider to fight for proper coverage and benefits. They will also be able to advise you about any follow-up actions that may be available to you. For questions about how a vehicle accident lawyer can assist you with your case, schedule a free consultation with a member of our talented car accident attorney team.