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| | | | | What to do if involved in a motor vehicle accident. by Joseph Monaco | | | Motor vehicle accidents can be trying experiences. They may involve vehicles such as motorcycles, trucks/SUVs, tractor trailers, semi trucks and cars. There are also a myriad of legal issues for each type of accident in which you may be involved..
For example, if you are involved in a car accident, there are important issues stemming from the type of car insurance you purchased. You will have medical benefits coverage under you car insurance policy that covers medical bills for you and your family. Your health insurance will only cover you or your family after the medical benefits under the car insurance policy are exhausted. Moreover, you would have selected a lawsuit option under your policy. In Pennsylvania, you selected either full tort or limited tort. In New Jersey, you had to select the lawsuit limitation or zero limitation. Oddly enough, your selection of a lawsuit option affects whether you may bring a claim against the person who caused the accident. There are exceptions, however. For example, you will be deemed to have selected the full tort option in Pennsylvania if the accident is caused by an intoxicated driver, whether from alcohol or medication.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor trailer, there are state and federal regulations governing maintenance and inspections of the vehicle, the number of hours per day the driver is permitted to operate the tractor trailer and mandatory insurance requirements for the owner of the tractor or trailer: Title 49 CFR Part 391 - Qualifications of Drivers, Title 49 CFR Part 392 - Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Title 49 CFR Part 393 - Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation, Title 49 CFR Part 395 - Hours of Service of Drivers and Title 49 CFR Part 396 - Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance. In addition, most current day trucks including tractor trailers have data recording devices or "black boxes" that may obtain critical information about your accident. This data needs to be preserved immediately. The owner of the tractor trailer may well be disinterested in its preservation if it favors you.. The data can be easily written over once the tractor is put back on the road.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in property damage or bodily injuries, follow these steps to protect your interests.
* Call police immediately at 911 if you or anyone is hurt and/or if there is damage to vehicles or property. It is important that a police report be filed of record.
* Keep calm. Make no statements to anyone about the accident, or who might have been at fault. Do not answer questions about the accident for anyone except the police or medical personnel.
* If possible, write down the date, time and place of the accident. Or do so as soon as you can afterwards.
* If possible, exchange driver's license and vehicle registration and insurance information with other parties involved.
* If possible, get names and addresses of witnesses.
* Write down the name, badge number and jurisdiction (i.e., Philadelphia, Cherry Hill) of the police officer taking your accident report.
* If possible, take photographs of the scene and vehicles involved.
* Describe the accident to the police as simply as possible. Do not assess or accept blame.
* If another party's insurance company or investigator asks you to sign any papers or provide a written or recorded statement, do not do so without first consulting with an attorney.
Motor vehicle accidents can be traumatizing events. Think objectively when making decisions. Do not let emotions cloud your judgment when deciding the best course of action in determining who should be financially responsible for vehicle repairs or where someone should seek medical care in the event of personal injuries.
| | | | Article Source : Article-treasure.com | | Publication date : 07-27-2010 | | | | Article by Joseph Monaco | | | | Joseph Monaco
Personal Injury Lawyer
Pennsylvania and New Jersey
| | | | Keywords : motor vehicle accident, police report | | | | | |
