Have You Been Injured in a Christmas or New Year Car Accident? We Can Help

The end of the year signifies the start of a busy holiday season. Whether you are traveling to visit loved ones or driving around town during the holidays, the likelihood of motor vehicle accidents increases. More drivers are busy and may be distracted with holiday preparations and social gatherings. Additionally, more people are attending parties with alcohol and may be more likely to become intoxicated and drive. None of us anticipate having to make a trip to the emergency room during the holidays, but it is something some have to go through due to negligent or reckless drivers.

Taking the necessary steps to avoid costly mistakes can help you after you have been involved in a holiday car accident. Immediately after the accident, you should remain calm and assess your injuries and those of your passengers. Doing so is easier said than done. Take a few deep breaths and try to focus on the present, discerning the situation and whether you have been seriously injured. Call 911 and request medical attention for anyone who has been injured, including yourself.

Even if your injuries are mild, you should be evaluated by a medical professional. The adrenaline caused by the car accident can result in you not feeling the entire pain of your injuries. Symptoms of car accident injuries may not appear until hours or days after the accident. Delaying medical attention after the accident could hurt the likelihood that you will obtain full and fair compensation against the driver.

In the aftermath of the accident, you may be feeling shocked and unintentionally admit fault for the car accident. You must be very careful about what you say at the scene of the accident and afterward. Try to provide factual statements to the police officer who comes to the location of the accident without engaging and guesswork. Make sure you write down the contact and insurance information of everyone involved.

Do not post about the accident on social media or discuss the accident publicly. Ensure you follow your doctor's orders and keep all your medical documentation. Keep a journal and write down all of your symptoms, the days you got to take off of work, and your pain levels. All of these steps can help you obtain the total and fair amount of damages you deserve.

You may be tempted to settle for a cash deal to avoid a car insurance claim during the holidays. This is not the best option in most cases. You should notify your own insurance company that you have been in an accident. Failure to do so could result in you not being able to make a claim. We recommend discussing any settlement offers from the insurance company with an attorney because they are usually far too low. Your attorney can help you negotiate a better settlement agreement.

Whether you pursue an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove liability. Most car accident cases involve one or more parties' negligence. Negligence means failure to use reasonable care under the circumstances. An attorney can help you investigate your case and decide which party or party's negligence caused your accident. Suppose you were injured by a commercial truck driver who was intoxicated. You would be able to pursue a claim against the truck driver and their insurance company.

Additionally, you may be able to pursue compensation from the truck driver's employer if you can prove that the company negligently hired the driver. If a defective automobile part contributed to the accident, you might be able to pursue compensation from the manufacturer or retailer. Finally, the municipality may be liable if a dangerous road condition caused the accident. An attorney can help you determine the best strategy for your case.

If you were someone you love has been injured due to a negligee in a reckless driver over the holidays, knowing how to proceed can be challenging. The skilled car accident attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, are here to help. Our compassionate attorneys will carefully review your case and help you understand all of your legal options. We have a proven track record of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about how we can protect you and your rights after a holiday car accident.