3 million people in the U.S. are injured every year in car accidents. Around 2 million drivers in car accidents experience permanent injuries every year.

J.D. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, car accidents happen every 60 seconds. That equates to about 5.25 million accidents across the nation on a yearly basis.

In the United States, injury accounts for over 150,000 deaths and over 3 million non-fatal injuries per year. Around the world, injury is responsible for more than 5 million deaths per year. Many millions more are injured.

Studies have shown that an average person would be correct to expect in their lifetime to be involved in up to three or four car accidents, though the number may be higher depending on where you live.

A report by Esurance found that 77% of drivers have been in at least one accident. Your chances of getting into a car accident during a 1,000-mile trip are 1 in 366. Car insurance estimates that the average driver will file an insurance claim for an auto collision once every 17.9 years.

10 Things You Should NOT Do After a Car Accident

• Leave the scene.
• Forget to call 911.
• Lose your cool.
• Forget to document the car accident.
• Admit fault.
• Neglect the aftermath.
• Speak to the other party’s insurance company without a lawyer.
• Enter into an unfair settlement agreement.

Don’t say “I’m sorry” DON’T! A simple “I’m sorry” can be used to show that you admitted guilt and responsibility for the accident. Even if you mean “I’m sorry you’re late for work” or “I’m sorry you are hurt” – try to avoid using the words “I’m sorry”.

1. Fleeing the Scene.
2. Not Calling the Police.
3. Neglecting Proper Documentation.
4. Admitting Fault.
5. Denying Any Injury.
6. Signing a “Quick-Hit” Release.
7. Speaking to an Insurance Adjuster.
8. Not Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer.

Your loved one’s pain and suffering before death. Many injuries cause a substantial amount of pain before they lead to the death of the individual injured in the accident. If your loved one lived for some time after the accident, then a wrongful death claim may seek damages for this pain and suffering.

It’s surprisingly common for people to leave the scene after a car accident, which is a criminal offense. Whether you’re at fault for a car crash, it is your responsibility to stop and exchange information with the other driver(s). A hit and run can result in a felony if the crash resulted in someone getting injured.

All road traffic accidents are to be reported to the police within 24 hours of the incident taking place. You can call 101, the non-emergency police number to do this. This includes providing the police with details of any damage done to buildings, parked cars, even when there were no other people involved.

If you are considered at fault for an accident or loss, your insurer won’t be able to recover their costs if they’ve paid for your repairs. Not only that, the third party or their insurer will probably claim back their own costs from your insurance company.

six months

With at-fault drivers, their liability coverage pays out injury claims on their behalf. For injured motorists, a liability policy improves their chances of recovering compensation for their injuries. Your savings, your personal property, and even your home could be at risk if you are found to be liable for the crash.

Suing the At-Fault Driver You have a legal right to sue the at-fault driver for the personal injuries that were caused by the crash, including aggravation of pre-existing injuries. Most states do not allow you to sue the insurance company directly, however.

When you are being sued in a car accident, you probably won’t have to pay up. It will be your insurance company. And it’s in the insurance company’s best interest to settle a case quickly. For this reason, your insurance company will push hard for a settlement.

A decision to prosecute must be made within six months of the accident. Prosecution in the public interest? Given the serious nature of cases involving a death or serious injury, the public interest will usually be in favour of prosecution.

Settlements are highly variable. In our experience, successful monetary recoveries for simple injury may range anywhere from $2500 to $50,000. On the other hand, if the neck injury or back injury requires a surgical procedure such as a neck fusion, then the monetary award could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That said, from my personal experience, the typical payout for pain and suffering in most claims is under $15,000. This is because most claims involve small injuries. The severity of the injury is a huge factor that affects the value of pain and suffering damages.