Every day, hundreds of road traffic accidents occur across the country.
In fact, statistics show that there are more than 10 motor vehicle-related deaths per day in California alone, which are preventable.
The thing is, a significant percentage of motorists are either under insured or have no auto insurance at all.
Every day, hundreds of road traffic accidents occur across the country. In fact, statistics show that there are more than 10 motor vehicle-related deaths per day in California alone, many of the common causes of collisions are preventable. Significant percentage of the motorists are underinsured or no auto insurance or commercial truck insurance at all.
Road accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Often, drivers are distracted while behind the wheel, taking their focus away from the road. In other cases, drivers can become tired after spending multiple hours at the wheel, resulting in preventable errors.
Sometimes, accidents occur for a combination of reasons, from bad visibility to unsafe road design, or other drivers lack caution. While the causes of accidents can vary, the consequences are often the same, resulting in everything from vehicular and property damage to serious injuries.
Speeding is the second most common cause of road accidents in the United States. Since car and truck accidents that involve speeding typically occur at high speeds, it’s also a major cause of fatal road injuries.
Driving above the speed limit is a common practice for many motorists. It’s also illegal behavior that vastly increases the risk of losing control of a vehicle and causing an accident. The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to slow down in the event of an obstacle.
Even a small increase in speed can result in a much higher risk of being involved in a collision or other type of accident. As such, it’s essential for motorists to be aware of the speed at which they’re traveling and stay within the legal limits.
Getting into a road accident can be a terrifying experience. While most people know the best ways to avoid an accident, not everyone knows what to do immediately after one. It can also be difficult to know what steps you need to take to pay for repairs to your car or truck so you can put the accident behind you.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about vehicle accidents and what you can do to address them.
It’s important to know what to do after a car accident so you don’t make the problem worse. This applies to other vehicles as well including commercial trucks.
First and foremost, stay on the scene of the accident, even if the accident is minor. If you leave without exchanging information with the other party, or without speaking to the authorities, you could get in trouble. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a crime.
If the accident is minor, move your vehicle off the road and stop it somewhere safe. Put your vehicle in park and turn it off. If necessary, use safety tools like cones or flares to alert other drivers of the accident.
Check yourself for injuries. If you aren’t injured, and if the other party isn’t injured either, you should both exchange insurance information. Be sure to gather the following:
Don’t sign any documents unless they were given to you by police or by a representative from your insurance company. If either you or the other party is injured, even in the slightest, call the authorities immediately and get to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
Try to be as calm and polite as you can during the process. Car accidents are extremely stressful. Even if other drivers are emotional or angry, losing your composure will only exacerbate an already difficult situation.
The rate at which your insurance increases because of an accident depends on numerous factors, including your insurance provider, the circumstances of the accident, and the state in which the accident occurred. If you were not at fault, you can expect no increase in your insurance premiums.
However, if you were at fault, you should expect a rate increase. According to one study, drivers who make a claim end up paying an average of 41% more for car insurance. But again, it depends on the specifics of your case.
Most states mandate drivers get automobile liability insurance as a prerequisite to registering their vehicle. However, some people manage to avoid the law.
In some cases, they may register their vehicle, then immediately cancel their insurance policy. In other cases, they may simply be driving an unregistered vehicle.
In most cases, even if the other driver was at fault and is uninsured, they are still liable for damages. But you may need to sue the other driver to recover those damages.
Some states have what are called “no-fault laws,” which means both drivers are liable to pay the other’s damages. However, most states with these laws allow you to sue for severe damages.
Regardless, there is another way to secure yourself from uninsured drivers. Some insurance companies offer uninsured motorist coverage for just this scenario. With this type of coverage, you’re protected no matter the other driver’s insurance situation.
No matter where you’re located, the best way to protect yourself from the consequences of road accidents is with reliable, comprehensive insurance. Our insurance policies range from standard auto insurance to insurance for commercial trucks and other commercial vehicles. You may call our team now at (866) 671-5050 or fill out our contact form.
Navigating a truck accident? Learn the essential actions to take when your truck is involved in an accident from our blog post. Get insights that align with understanding the common reasons behind road accidents.
