Even though 90 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error, no one claims that it has to be your error. Imagine a scenario where you are driving, fully focused on the road ahead, while the person in the next line loses control over their vehicle. This is a potentially hazardous situation but you would be surprised just how often these things happen. While you may be 100 percent in the right, sometimes, in the aftermath, it might not be so clear as to whose error led to the collision. With this in mind, here are a few tips that may help you protect yourself from a legal standpoint.
1. Install a dash camera
The first thing you may want to do in order to protect yourself in such situations is to install dash camera in your vehicle. In fact, in Russia, there is a saying that “You can get into your car without your pants on, but never get into a car without a dash cam”. The reason for this is simple, this country is one of the places with the greatest number of insurance frauds per capita. There are literally people in the street waiting to jump or drive in front of your car so that they can sue you and get paid. This is why the great majority of cars in Russia come with a dash camera installed. By doing the same, you can ensure that you always have a solid evidence of what happened during the crash.
2. Gather the necessary evidence
As soon as the car accident occurred you need to make sure no one’s life is in danger. Determining whose fault is it comes later but your first instinct must always be the concern for the lives of everyone involved. Once you have this established you need to gather all the necessary evidence from the other party in the crash. Ask for the name and address of the other driver and inquire about their insurance company, as well as their policy information. Next, you should look around for any potential witnesses and take their information as well. Seeing how in 2017 everyone has a phone with a camera, it wouldn’t hurt to take pictures of the scene of the accident, since the other party may feel inclined to tamper with the evidence in order to cover up for their mistake.
3. Notify the right people
Once you are done with this ‘preparation stage’ it is the time to call in the authorities. As soon as they reach the spot they will do some forensics of their own but don’t be alarmed if their conclusion is not the same one as yours. If their analysisis not to your liking, it is always a good idea to have a reliable legal company in your phone contacts. The reputation of the company is all that matters here, so find a reputable legal representation like Adams & Co who work in various fields, from motor vehicle accident claims to workers’ compensation claims. Finally, you may also want to notify your (or their) insurer as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Every good lawyer will tell you that even though it is better to be innocent, there is no 100 percent guarantee that you won’t be the suffering the consequences. The system is flawed and the only way to protect yourself is to take all the necessary safety measures and hope for the best. Knowing how to act in these situations is your first line of defense while having a dash cam and a team of lawyers on a speed-dial is another one. Either way, this is only here to protect your financial interests in a situation where your life and vehicle are put at risk by someone else’s negligence.
