Car Accidents and Road Trips: How to Prepare
Road trips are a great way to travel, offering drivers fun, adventure, and spontaneity. Unfortunately, a car accident can stop a road trip short. Although most individuals don’t consider a car crash when planning a road trip, they are a very real possibility. Drivers should understand the risks involved with road trips, as well as be prepared for what to do should a road trip car accident take place.
Here, car accident lawyers from Quick Law Group, PLLC, go over some of the most common causes of road trip car accidents, and provide drivers in Bellevue, WA, and surrounding areas with tips on how to handle the aftermath of a car crash that takes place away from home.
Causes of Road Trip Car Accidents
Road trips offer a lot of benefits that are unique to this type of travel, which is why many people choose to take to the road for vacations and holidays. However, just as there are certain benefits to road trips, there are some drawbacks to consider as well. Any time someone is driving they face the risk of a car accident, but certain aspects of road trip travel can make the risk of a car accident even greater. Some of the most common causes of road trip car accidents include:
- Driving for extended periods at a time, which leads to driver fatigue
- Driving unfamiliar roads
- Speeding to reach the destination faster
- Checking texts, cell phones, GPS devices, etc. while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Vehicle malfunctions
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Road Trip Crash
Dealing with a car crash that takes place away from home can seem intimidating, but most of the steps that need to be taken following a road trip collision are the same as those that would be taken if someone was involved in an accident close to home.
First and foremost, drivers should attend to any accident injuries. If there are no injuries, or if injuries appear to be minor, Bellevue drivers should focus on gathering as much information as possible from the accident scene by taking the following steps:
- Contact the local police so a report can be filed
- Exchange driver’s license information, insurance information, and contact information with all involved drivers
- Collect contact information from any eye witnesses
- Take photos of the accident scene, including damages
After drivers have collected this information and are safely away from the accident scene, they should report the collision to their insurance company.
Can I Sue for Accident Damages?
If someone is injured in a car accident, the person or party who is liable for the collision should be responsible for accident damages. Since insurance companies rarely offer a settlement that covers the full extent of losses, some individuals choose to pursue compensation through civil court. However, personal injury laws vary slightly from state to state, and drivers will be subject to the laws where their accident took place.
To fully understand the type of compensation they may be due after a road trip car accident, drivers should work with an attorney who is local to the area. A lawyer who is licensed to practice law in that state will understand the local laws and be able to pursue maximum compensation for accident damages.
Contact Quick Law Group, PLLC
If you have been injured in a road trip car accident in the state of Washington, and you have questions about your right to financial compensation, the lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC, would be happy to help. To schedule a consultation at our Bellevue law firm, send us a message online at your earliest convenience, or call (425) 576-8150.
