Common Causes of Lafayette Car Accidents
It’s not uncommon for car accidents to happen here in Lafayette. Most of them are minor, but others are severe and can cause serious injury to those involved. The NHTSA reports that up to 94 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error, which means they are completely preventable. Below are some of the most common causes of accidents.
Distracted driving. Driving while distracted is a major cause of U.S. car accidents. Whenever you’re behind the wheel, your sole focus should be on the road. Texting, talking on the phone, and other distracting activities take your eyes off the road and can cause a hazard.
Speeding. Many people speed every day for one reason other another. However, it’s not worth the risk to you and other drivers. Speeding delays your reaction time, especially if you need to slow down or stop immediately. You should always drive the speed limit and pay attention to hazardous weather conditions.
Reckless driving. Reckless drivers don’t have regard for the safety of others on the road. They may weave in and out of traffic, speed, or a wide variety of other dangerous driving habits. If you spot one, let them pass by and remain calm.
Driving under the influence. It’s never worth the risk to drive while impaired. However, many Indiana car accidents happen every year because the driver had too much to drink or used illegal substances before operating a vehicle. Impaired drivers have delayed reaction times which makes it hard to respond to various incidents on the road.
Drowsy driving. Drivers who are too tired to be on the road can’t react the way they would if they were well rested. Many studies indicate drowsy driving is just as dangerous as impaired driving.
Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing With Indiana Insurance Companies
In the state of Indiana, you must report a car accident to the insurance company as soon as possible. They’ll likely start processing the claim right away. You could very possibly quickly hear from an adjuster. Insurance companies can be intimidating to deal with when you are still recovering from the aftermath of the accident.
Just remember that insurance adjusters’ primary tasks include saving their company money. They do not have your best interests in mind, so you need to watch what you say to them. If you say the wrong thing, they could offer you a lower settlement.
The following offers a glimpse into some common mistakes that people make when communicating with insurance companies after a car accident:
- Apologizing: Many Hoosiers automatically apologize for things, whether they were to blame or not. But this is a major mistake when dealing with an insurance adjuster. Apologizing may signal an indication of guilt.
- Giving an official statement: If the insurance adjuster asks you to give an official statement, don’t unless you have legal representation present. You might unintentionally say something that may make the insurance adjuster suspicious.
- Lying: Always tell the truth when it comes to dealing with insurance adjusters. If they find out you lied to them, they won’t believe anything else you said either. Don’t embellish or fill in the details. Always stick to the facts.
- Exaggerating your injuries: This falls into the same boat as lying. The insurance adjuster will find out the truth when they get access to your medical records.
Failing to seek legal counsel. Plenty of people think they can handle the insurance company on their own. This generally comes back to bite them. An experienced car accident attorney can help you get a much higher settlement than the insurance company is offering you.
Why Hire an Attorney After a Lafayette Car Accident
Struggling in the aftermath of a car accident is never fun or easy. That’s why having an experienced Lafayette car accident lawyer on your side will come in handy. It’s not as simple as reporting the accident to the insurance company and having them pay the claim.
There are actually many obstacles standing in your way that could hurt your claim. For starters, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may delay or even flat-out deny your claim. Or they may offer you a settlement that simply doesn’t cover the cost of the accident. That’s why our Lafayette car accident attorneys want to help. They know the laws and know how to fight for a fair settlement amount.
Here are some excellent reasons you should have an Indiana auto accident attorney on your side:
Calculating what your claim is worth
Your Indiana car accident attorney knows exactly which damages to pursue. They’ll also be able to accurately calculate the value of your claim. It’s not always about medical expenses. You may also be entitled to compensation for lost wages, property damage, disability, pain and suffering, and more.
Injuries aren’t always apparent
After a crash, many car accident victims actually feel fine. However, they may have a few lingering injuries that haven’t shown up yet. Make sure you speak to your attorney before accepting a settlement claim. The claim you receive may not cover your medical bills.
Determining fault
When your car accident attorney takes on your case, they’ll start investigating the crash immediately and gather evidence to determine who actually caused the accident. The at-fault driver could try to blame you for the accident, so your attorney will come in handy here.
Insurance negotiations
Remember that the goal of the other driver’s insurance company is to get you to settle. And they aren’t going to offer you a high amount. Your Lafayette car accident attorney will have years of experience and will fight to get you fair compensation.
Taking your case to court
There are some car accident cases where a settlement just can’t be settled with the insurance company. In these cases, the claims will be taken to court. Your Lafayette auto accident attorney will represent you.
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a scary time. Fortunately, there is help. Contact the attorneys at Hensley Legal Group today. Our experienced attorneys can help relieve the stress you are feeling, offer legal advice, file your claim, and more.
