US Accident Law
The tort laws in the United States cover car accidents, work place injuries and personal injuries at public places. The law does not define the quantum of pecuniary compensation nor does it define the upper limit. As a result the award of fabulous amounts like the $28 billion against the corporate giant Philip Morris for a death occurs. Such awards encourage lawyers to bring action for even minor injuries that are not covered by contract. Claims for compensations for accidents are much more in the United States than in Europe.
However, the victim in an accident will have to take some precautionary measures to ensure his right to compensation. There is a time frame defined by law to prefer a claim for an accident. If you fail in that there is every possibility for losing the entire claim. So it is better for him to approach a legal expert as early as possible so that the lawyer can start investigations in time.
Almost everyone suffers injuries in accidents during ones life time. There are some other obligations too on the part of everyone involved in a car accident causing personal injury and/or damage to property. You have to remain at the scene of accident until the police arrive. You can leave the place only when police allow you. Failure to comply with this requirement may even result in the cancellation of your driver’s license. If you cannot reach the police from the scene of the accident tell someone else to call the police and report.
In case you are not seriously injured, you have an obligation to attend to the injured ones in the accident. Especially if you are a trained person, you have to administer first aid to the injured. You should not move the injured from the scene of the accident. Inform the police the number of persons injured and the nature of injury so that emergency medical aid can be provided by them. Warn the traffic on the road of the accident.
When an accident involving you occurs you must obtain from the other party the plate number of his car, his name, address, driver’s license number, insurance company name and the nature of insurance cover. Also, if witnesses are available their name, addresses and telephone numbers are to be obtained. Take note of the place of accident and in your opinion how the accident occurred. It is to be remembered that such notes taken by you have to be given to the opposite party at the time of the litigation. Also, get the name of the investigating officer at the accident scene and the incident number. Normally police officers provide this information themselves.
Make statements about the accident only to the police. Don’t give information about the accident to anyone else, except to your own lawyer. Do not admit guilt to police or others even if you think you are at fault. During the litigation it may turn out that mistake was of the other party.
