Tennessee car accidents: Reduce the risk of legal issues by preparation

March 07, 2014 (Press-News.org) There are many challenges in life to deal with and some can be more difficult than others. One of those challenges is a car accident. In 2013 the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported that over 18,000 collisions were caused by distracted driving. Often, for people in Anderson County, this means dealing with insurance companies, claims investigators, mechanics and medical staff. It can also lead to legal litigation which can lengthen the amount of time before people receive the compensation to which they are entitled.

While people cannot always avoid legal complications, there are things they can do before they get into a collision that may minimize the legal impact. Some of these things include knowing what to say, carrying an accident kit and reviewing their insurance policy.

Saying the wrong thing

CNN states that it is important for people not to admit that they caused the accident. The reason for this is because it could lead law enforcement to make a decision before all the facts are gathered and examined. By letting officers do their job, it may turn out that the accident was caused by someone who was impaired by alcohol or drugs. It also makes it less likely that an insurance company is going to deny a claim.

The same thing is true when it comes to injuries. For example, when people tell others that they are okay, an insurance company is more likely to try to deny a claim for medical care when an injury surfaces. This is not uncommon since people are often in shock after a collision occurs and their adrenaline levels are running high, preventing them from feeling pain.

Carrying an accident kit

At the accident scene, having the ability to document the details of the accident is important and this can be accomplished with an accident kit. The accident kit should contain a disposable camera for taking pictures of the damage to the vehicle and the accident scene itself. Another important item to have is an accident form and this can be created by hand or obtained through an insurance agent. The form contains places for the following information:
- The speed of the driver.
- Names and contact information for everyone involved, including passengers and witnesses.
- Weather conditions.
- The date, time and location of the accident.
- The direction in which the vehicles involved were travelling.
- Where glass, blood and tire marks were found.

People also may include a pencil and paper, a list of health conditions they have, warning flares and a flashlight. These items can make it easier for a person to take control of the situation and gather the data they need for their own protection.

Reviewing insurance policy

Another form of preparation is to make sure that the insurance policy will meet the needs of the person, according to Edmunds. People should look at towing coverage, rental car coverage, non-insured coverage, underinsured coverage and deductibles. Taking a proactive approach allows people to make the changes to their policy before the coverage is actually needed. This can soften the financial impact that the accident might have.

When people are involved in a car accident, they should make one of their first phone calls to an experienced attorney for legal advice.

Article provided by Cantrell, Cantrell & Associates
Visit us at www.cantrellcantrell.com