That is why it’s important to fight for compensation if your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. When someone else caused your accident, you shouldn’t be left carrying the burden on your own. We can help. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the St. Martin, MS area, call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation.
Types of Car Accidents in St. Martin
The severity of your injuries is partially determined by the type of accident you’re involved in. Some of the most common car accident types include:
- Single car collisions. These occur when a driver loses control of the vehicle or hits an obstacle while distracted. In this type of crash, it’s uncommon for a driver to get compensation from anyone else as they are typically at fault. There are exceptions, such as accidents caused by faulty auto parts.
- Rear end crashes. Rear-end collisions are extremely common, and the vast majority cause minimal damage. However, when a collision occurs at high speed, it can cause serious or even fatal injuries.
- T-bone accidents. T-bone crashes can cause severe or fatal injuries. They tend to occur when one party runs a red light or stop sign and crashes into a car traveling perpendicular to them.
- Sideswipe crashes. Sideswipe crashes commonly occur when one driver merges lanes without checking their blind spot. They can also happen when a driver isn’t paying attention and lets their car drift.
- Head-on collisions. Perhaps the deadliest type of crash is the head-on collision. Drivers and passengers in both vehicles sustain an enormous amount of force, putting them at serious risk of injury.
The Evidence You Need
Evidence is a crucial part of assigning liability in a crash and fighting for compensation. The sooner you begin gathering evidence, the easier it is for your attorney to prove your case. Valuable pieces of evidence include:
- Pictures and video footage from the scene of the crash
- Contact information for witnesses to the accident
- Dashcam footage
- Police report
- Medical reports
- Firsthand accounts from those in the car
Common Auto Accident Injuries
Every car accident is different, so the injuries you sustain depend largely on the circumstances of your crash. That’s why it’s so important to seek medical attention after a crash. While you may feel fine immediately after a collision, you have no idea what injuries you may have suffered. It is crucial to get checked out right away.
Common injuries after a car crash include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Burns and scarring
- Disability
- Amputation
- Paralysis
Auto Accident Compensation
If you can prove that your accident was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation is typically paid out by the other party’s insurance company, not by the actual driver. This may not be the case if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or if your damages exceed their insurance limits. In these situations, you are typically only able to recover money if they have sizable assets.
Personal injury claims let victims seek many types of compensation. After you speak with your attorney, they may help you request compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses if your injuries are likely to require long-term care
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost future income if your ability to work is impaired long-term
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
Your attorney will assess your expenses and damages by looking at the severity of the accident, the treatment you’ve already received for your injuries, and the prognosis for your injuries. They may also ask you to go into detail about how the accident has affected your life and how it has limited your ability to meet your obligations.
How to Get the Compensation You Deserve
Before you speak to the other party’s insurance company, you must talk to an attorney about your claim. This is the mistake most people make when they begin a claim. The other party’s insurance company reaches out, expresses sympathy, and gives them a low settlement offer. The victim, rather than taking some time to think about it and estimate their expenses, jumps on the chance to accept the settlement. The company gets to protect themselves from any future lawsuits, and the victim is left with a settlement that is likely to run out before the first round of medical bills is paid.
The best way to avoid this is to hire an attorney. Attorneys know how insurance companies trick victims into accepting low settlements, and they will demand fair and transparent negotiations. By gathering evidence and creating a strong case that supports your settlement demand, your attorney will go on the offensive and hold the insurance company accountable.
