Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the United States for people ages one to thirty-four. In 1997, 3.5 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, and another 42,000 died as a result of such accidents. In 1998, nearly 40 percent of traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.

After being notified of an automobile accident, the insurance company will start an investigation. It is the insurance company’s responsibility to try to limit the recovery of the injured person to the lowest possible amount. To accomplish this, insurance companies have established specific procedures on handling auto accident claims. The insurance company may take recorded statements, have the vehicles examined, have photographs taken, obtain the police report and try to establish the extent of the injuries suffered in the auto collision.

The insurance company is usually able to accomplish all of these tasks within the first week after the auto collision. However, when a person is injured in an auto accident, it very often takes months to completely assess the person’s injuries. It may be determined the injured person needs surgery or has a permanent injury. Therefore, the true value of a claim can only be assessed after a firm prognosis has been established by a physician.

Determining the appropriate value of a claim is complicated and involves evaluating the extent of the injury, the losses that are recoverable, and the liability issues relating to the accident. Aggravation of a prior injury may also come into play in evaluating a personal injury claim.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a automobile accident due to the negligence of another person please contact the law firm of Reeder & Nussbaum P.A.

Automobile Accident Negligence
After an accident you should do the following:

1. Call the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene of the car accident.
2. Exchange names, addresses, telephone numbers and car insurance information with the other driver and obtain the name of the owner of the vehicle, if the driver was not the owner
3. Take down the names of passengers, including their address and phone numbers
4. Take down the names of witnesses with addresses and phone numbers
5. If you believe you are injured, accept assistance from EMS.