Road accident compensation claims are often disputed and to ensure that you establish liability, you need to be represented by an experienced car accident solicitor. Most Australian personal injury solicitors deal with accident compensation claims and have a successful track record with road traffic cases. Most specialist car accident solicitors will focus entirely on your needs by providing vigorous expert representation to ensure that you receive maximum damages for your personal injury claim. Australian car accident solicitors can deal with a wide range of claims varying from minor whiplash to spinal injury and brain damage.
Preservation of Evidence
Immediately following an accident involving a motor vehicle there are several steps that should be taken to ensure evidence preservation which may be crucial in proving a compensation claim against the other driver concerned. By collecting and recording important evidence you will ensure that you have maximized your potential for recovery of compensation. Matters that will assist your car accident solicitor in proving liability in RTA’s are as follows:
- Name, address and telephone number of any other drivers involved should be written down as soon as possible.
- If a police officer attends request the officer’s name and collar number.
- Take photographs of all vehicles involved as soon as possible from all angles.
- Photograph the surrounding area and immediate location of the accident.
- Photograph the road for any damage, skid marks or debris.
- Record details from any insurance documents and driving license of the other driver if he carries them with him.
- If you were a pedestrian, take photographs of the location where you were located at the time of the accident.
- Take the name, address and telephone number of any potential witness.
- Take photographs of the injury to yourself or your passengers immediately after the accident.
- Attend your local hospital and/or your own doctor as soon as possible
- Write down the registration number of the other vehicle involved and those of the vehicles of any witnesses.
- Make no oral or written statement to anyone until you have had time for reflection and to take legal advice.
- Report the incident to your own insurers even if you believe that you were not to blame.
- Preserve any bills or invoices for any losses or expenses incurred.
- Keep a daily diary of all events appertaining to the accident especially regarding the recovery from injury.
- Photograph damage to personal property and retain items that were damaged together with any bills and invoices as the insurers may require to see them.
- Seek advice from specialist car accident solicitors, such as https://www.rapidsolicitors.com/.
Groups at Risk
Certain elements of the population are most likely to be at risk, with hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists being killed annually in Australia. Young people are particularly prone to road accidents, with hundreds killed each year. Young drivers are involved in more road traffic accidents than any other age category. Although drivers in the 17-21 age group account for only one in fourteen of the driving population, their involvement in accidents is twice this rate, according to stats from CDC.gov.
Despite the shocking statistics, the overall situation is improving, which may be largely due to efforts to improve road safety. Various organisations, including the government, police, local authorities, voluntary groups, motor manufacturers, road user associations and road users themselves are working together to try to improve road safety. It is however worth noting that one in ten drivers and front seat passengers fail to use a seat belt despite it being a legal requirement. The need to use child restraints is also often overlooked.
Here are some more tips that may be useful – https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/personal-injury/personal-injury-basics/personal-injury-selecting-a-good-lawyer.html.