Put the Brakes on Getting Taken for a Ride

Put the Brakes on Getting Taken for a Ride ... Photo by CC user 29692536@N00 on Flickr

Photo by CC user 29692536@N00 on Flickr

Whether you set out on local roads around town or major highways near and far, the last thing you ever expect to creep into your day is an auto accident.

Sure, they happen in large numbers all across the nation on a daily basis, though you probably think you’ll be one of the lucky ones to avoid them altogether.

Unfortunately, auto accidents tend to happen when you least expect them. When they do, they can be as simple as a little fender bender or as complicated as a serious accident involving injuries and perhaps even a fatality or two.

That said do you know where to turn when you or a loved one find yourselves involved in an auto accident?

 

Right Attorney Can Make for Smooth Ride

In the event you or a loved one are injured in an auto accident (or you may escape injury but your vehicle doesn’t), knowing where to make the right turn can be the biggest task in front of you.

With that being the case, keep these tips in mind so you don’t get taken for a ride by the other side:

      • Find the best attorney – Whether you are in search of an Atlanta car accident attorney or one closer to your home, remember to familiar yourself with their background. How long have they been in the auto accident legal field? Do they have a solid track record when it comes to winning cases for their clients? Are there any issues floating around in the legal community regarding his or her work? Notably, have they had run-ins with customers over the years? Finally, are they going to charge you only if you come out on top if the matter goes to court? While some insurance companies and their parties are looking for a quick settlement, others may opt for a more drawn-out affair, especially if there is one or more serious injury involved;
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      • Support what you say – It is not a big surprise that some involved in auto accidents will fudge the details to a degree or two. What can be their downfall over time is when clear-cut evidence points in the opposite direction. That said always make sure you tell the truth, even if it means you’re at fault. If you have an eyewitness or two to support your version of the auto accident, do your best to get their contact information. Also ask them if they’d be willing to file a written report or even act as an eyewitness in court if necessary. You should also look to see if there is any video evidence to support your side of the story. With video cameras abundant in many towns and cities these days (even in spots on highways), finding video evidence to support your version of the accident might not be as difficult as you may think. Finally, make sure you never leave the scene of an accident, even if it is just the smallest of ordeals. What could have easily been a simple back-and-forth between your insurer and the insurer of the other person or persons involved can suddenly go against you if you depart the accident scene without exchanging information;
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      • Learn from the experience – Even though you more than likely did not mean to cause or be in an accident, you still ended up there. As bad as the experience may have been, learning from it can help you decrease the odds of ever being in one again. If you tend to become easily distracted behind the wheel, educating yourself on avoiding that moving forward is critical. That means no road-rage, avoiding playing with your cell phone while driving, not attempting to apply makeup or use an electric razor behind the wheel etc. Sometimes an accident is a good wakeup call for those who tend to have their minds elsewhere when heading down the road.

 

Even the most mundane of auto accidents can startle you.

If you’re involved in one, do your best to remain calm, gather the pertinent information to give to both your insurer and if necessary an attorney, and be thankful in most cases that it wasn’t worse than it could have been. Do all this, and you’ll put the brakes on getting taken for a ride by the other side of the table in these situations.