Car Accidents & the Rule of Law: 6 Key Facts to Understand
Unfortunately, traffic accidents are becoming more and more frequent, and our knowledge about them is not great. Maybe we can say that we didn't learn law in our schools, but we can't justify that because knowledge about everything is available to us more than ever. It does not mean that the damage caused to our car can be the only one because the mistakes we can make due to wrongly guided legal procedures after a traffic accident can be even more significant and more harmful to us. That is why we have separated the six most important facts that we must pay attention to after a traffic accident.
Don't cause the accident
Every traffic participant is obliged to behave in such a way as not to endanger himself or other traffic participants. Forget about your phone while driving; don't even think about going over the speed limit, and be aware all the time. Driving is something where it is not difficult to make a mistake. There are many things that we need to pay attention to, and if we are the ones who caused the accident, it will be very difficult for us to get away without legal consequences. We should regularly refresh what we learned from driving school and follow the law, which is adapted from time to time to modern times. We should also pay special attention to other road users, such as cyclists, pedestrians, scooters, and even electric scooters, which are increasingly being used. Consider that your car is always checked and everything is in order with it because even the most minor defect on it can be considered a potential cause of an accident.
You are not guilty until proven guilty
After a car crash, we are often unaware of what happened. The state of shock disturbs us from rational thinking, and it makes it difficult for us to remember all the details of what happened. It often happens that even if we are the ones who hit another car, we are not to blame because the other road user did not signal that he was about to turn, stopped suddenly, or, for some reason, decided to turn into our lane from the opposite direction. Countless scenarios can happen, and with our lack of information, we can take the blame even if we are not guilty. There is also a question: is it worth getting an attorney for a car accident, in any case, it is profitable because, in addition to the fact that the lawyer will save you a lot of time completing the documentation and managing your case, they will also do their best to protect your rights and fight for getting you a fair amount of compensation. The good thing is that through it, you will learn a lot about your rights, and you will not be able to make mistakes that can cost you a lot.
Make sure everyone is okay
Your immediate reaction is crucial; if there are injured people, do your best to make sure that they are okay. If you are responsible for the accident, you must do your best to help the injured. You can help by calling the emergency services, providing first aid, and securing space. If you are not responsible for the accident, in most cases, you are not legally obliged to help, but of course, we still recommend that you do your best to help because we consider it a moral obligation. There is also something called "Good Samaritan law," which protects all voluntary helpers who help those injured and encourages them to take action; that person is given every right to help someone who urgently needs help.
Don't run away
Fleeing from the scene of a traffic accident puts you in a difficult situation with the police, which can result in the revocation of your driver's license and a criminal penalty. A criminal record would further have a lot of consequences for your life because it can cause many problems for you, from employment to even moving to another country, and with a criminal sentence, up to prison. You can't run away from the law, so don't even try, but make sure you call the traffic police, who will investigate the case.
Collect the evidence
Take as many photos as possible from different sides that can help you defend yourself in court. In many cases, those who caused the accident want to make changes and direct the event the way they want and accuse you. Do not enter into an argument with another traffic participant; this can lead to other problems that you should not think about at that moment. If this person verbally attacks you, keep your phone inconspicuously and record the whole process; it can contribute a lot to you in court as additional evidence. You will need the evidence not only for the court if it comes to that, but also for the insurance company, with which you should get in touch immediately. Check with them about your rights to compensation for damage and the possibility of a towing service if it is necessary.
Don't let it happen again
If you often deal with traffic law, it can become suspicious to the police that they may think that you may not be honest. Try to foresee the potential risk and, in that case, get away to a safe place, open your eyes, and be aware. In many countries of the world, there is a points system in which if you collect a certain number of points in a certain time, you can get a driver's license suspension. The suspension usually lasts from 30 days to six months. Learn from every event that happens to you and avoid accidents as much as you can.
Car accidents are almost inevitable when you are a car driver. That is why it is important to know these things that we have mentioned and to have someone who can help us because they can make it easier for us in many ways. Think about going to work on a bicycle on a nice day. You might like it, and all this will become a real rarity. We hope this list was helpful to you and may have saved you from potential accidents.