• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Prescription drug costs
• Time missed from work
• Affect on ability to earn an income
• Pain and suffering

Only an experienced attorney can tell you exactly what damages you are eligible to seek compensation for after thoroughly evaluating your case. A thorough evaluation includes an investigation of the accident scene, collection of evidence, tracking down witnesses and securing expert testimony as to the dangerous conditions present at the accident scene.

Keep in mind that just because you fall on someone else’s property does not mean that you can automatically seek to recover damages for your injury; you must be able to prove that a property owner was aware of a hazardous surface condition, had time to address the problem and did not take the appropriate action to correct the problem or properly warn people of the hazardous area. This is not always easy to prove; hiring an experienced attorney can greatly increase your chances of receiving the money you need to recover from a slip and fall accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip or trip and fall accident, it’s important to take proactive measures to ensure your chances of a successful case. Below are some actions you may want to take after being involved in a slip and fall accident:

Seek Medical Attention

It is a good idea to see a medical doctor soon after a slip and fall accident so that you can be made aware of the extent of your injuries and get the care you need. A doctor can not only diagnose and treat your injury, but make you aware of how your injury may affect your life.

Take Pictures

It is important to take pictures of the accident scene as soon as possible after the accident. Pictures should be taken from a variety of angles and distances to properly document the accident scene. Failure to take pictures promptly after the accident can make it difficult to prove that hazardous conditions ever existed as property owners can clean up or fix the problem before you get a chance to document the problem.

Get Witness Contact Information

If anyone witnessed your slip and fall accident, it is important to write down their name, address and phone number so that you can contact them in the future if such testimony is necessary for proving a property owner’s fault.

Report the Accident

If your accident occurred at a retail store or place of business, be sure to alert the manager of your accident before you leave the store. It is important to have documentation of your accident immediately after it happens.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip or trip and fall accident, be sure to contact an experienced slip and fall attorney for the advice and legal representation you need to pursue a successful case against a negligent property owner.

If you are involved in a car accident where you sustain personal injury or significant damages to your vehicle, you will want to seriously consider hiring a car accident lawyer. An auto accident lawyer can help you recover losses by negotiating with insurance claims adjustors and/or taking your case to court. While you may choose to negotiate with an insurance claims adjustor yourself, remember that claims adjustors are trained to settle your claim for as little money as possible. Also, once you accept money from an insurance company, your claim is settled and there is little an attorney can do at that point to recover more money if your injuries are more extensive than you originally thought.

Keep in mind that insurance claims adjustors record conversations and try to establish liability and limit damages. A car accident lawyer is experienced in negotiating with insurance companies; therefore, it is best to consult a car accident lawyer early to avoid financially painful mistakes. Also, people who utilize a car accident lawyer typically receive higher settlements than people who negotiate their own claims—even after paying legal expenses.

Paying an attorney is a concern that many car accident victims worry about. Most attorneys will take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means that you do not have to pay the attorney upfront as the attorney will receive a percentage of the money they recover for you—usually 1/3 of the amount awarded to you. This provides accident lawyers with tremendous motivation to be an effective advocate for you in the settlement of your insurance claim or car accident case. It is important to be aware that contingency fees do not cover costs of litigation and you will be responsible to pay your car accident attorney for things including, but not limited to copies, expert witness expenses, filing costs, and court reporter fees for depositions.

It is important to contact a car accident lawyer soon after your auto accident so they can speak to your insurance company on your behalf, protect your rights, and inform you of the options you have to receive the money entitled to you for your damages and/or injuries. Also, you may need money to pay medical bills and cover lost wages—the sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner you can financially recover from your car accident. Contacting a car accident attorney promptly after an accident will also help you avoid missing out on just compensation due to statutes of limitations, or deadlines (which vary from state to state), that prevent you from making a claim. It is, therefore, in your best interest to contact a car accident attorney sooner than later so they can help you obtain the recovery you are entitled to.

Even if you carry auto accident insurance, recovering the damages from a car accident can be difficult if the person who caused your injury and/or damages does not carry liability insurance, or is underinsured and, therefore, cannot cover the full cost of damages you sustained. In most cases, a driver is uninsured for economic reasons. That is, they do not carry auto accident insurance because they do not have the financial resources to do so. This being most often the case, if you seek to pursue legal action against the uninsured motorist for your damages and/or injuries, even if your case is successful, you may still be responsible for covering your accident related expenses if the uninsured motorist does not have the financial means to compensate you.

If the motorist who caused the accident you were involved in does not carry auto accident insurance, it is not impossible for you to recover damages. Many insurance carriers offer uninsured motorist coverage. In some states, this coverage is mandatory. This coverage allows you to collect damages from your insurance company in the event that you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. It is important to contact an experienced accident attorney soon after a car accident as he or she may know about some coverage that you are unaware of.

Sometimes, you may be able to pursue legal action against your own insurance company for damages caused by an uninsured motorist. Contacting an accident attorney with experience handling uninsured motorist car accident claims may help you receive fair compensation if you are involved in a car accident with an uninsured motorist. An experienced car accident lawyer will know how to read your insurance policy and determine the right course of action to help you receive the recovery you are entitled to.

Being involved in a car accident is something you are never quite ready for; however, it is something that you can prepare for. First, check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for uninsured motorist accidents. If you are not, ask your insurance carrier for information about purchasing this coverage. Be sure to receive the terms of the insurance agreement in writing.

Another way to be prepared for a car accident with an uninsured driver is to know what steps you should take after a car accident (see What to Expect when You are in a Car Accident). Be sure to document as much information about the person you had the accident with as possible so that you can contact them later. Also, if they have an expired insurance policy, be sure to write down the insurance carrier’s information so you can contact them to be certain that the person’s insurance is indeed cancelled.

Finally, be sure to choose a car accident attorney with expertise handling your type of claim (see How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer). An experienced car accident attorney may be able to help you recover damages if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

When you are involved in an accident and want to pursue an accident claim, time is of the essence. Just like many other areas in our lives, there are deadlines you must meet to file an accident claim. The maximum amount of time you have to file a claim is known as a statute of limitations. Statutes of limitation vary for different lawsuits and in different states. An accident lawyer will be able to advise you and help you file your claim in a timely manner.

Failing to file a claim within the time period allotted for your lawsuit may terminate your right to recover damages if someone else is liable for your accident or injuries. Therefore, if you are pursuing an accident claim, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced accident lawyer soon after your accident so you can file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

Statutes of limitations usually begin immediately after the incident occurs; however, in some instances, the statute of limitations does not begin until the plaintiff knows or should have known about the negligence or fault of another party. In instances where a person has a delay in discovering the harm or negligence, statutes of limitations can be tolled, or extended.

Statutes of limitations are also tolled for minors. If a minor experiences an incident that causes them injury or harm, the minor will have a chance to pursue legal action when they turn 18.

If you experienced an accident that caused you personal injury or significant damages, always seek the legal advice of an accident lawyer immediately so you do not risk losing your right to fair compensation due to the passing of time.

Defects in design occur when the product is moving from conceptualization to actualization. Here, defects are inherent in the basic design of a product. Design flaws may make a product unsafe to use even if it serves its intended purpose. If a defect in design causes injury, the manufacturer and supplier may be liable for those injuries.

Defects in manufacturing occur when the product is not put together correctly. Often, defects in manufacturing affect only a portion of the total products produced. Even if the majority of the products are manufactured correctly and allow for safe usage, the manufacturer may be responsible for the injuries caused by the few defective products.

Defects in marketing occur when a product is released to the public with improper instructions and/or fails to warn customers of the innate dangers of the product. Manufacturers and suppliers are responsible for informing their customers of how the product should be used safely and any dangers the customer might encounter when using the product.

When a products liability claim is filed against a manufacturer or supplier it is usually based on strict liability and not negligence. That means a defendant is held responsible or liable for their defective product no matter how much care or caution was exercised by the manufacturer. In other words, if the product is found to have been defective, the manufacturer or supplier is automatically liable for the injuries caused by that product.

For example, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident and the face shield on your helmet flies off at the time of impact causing you to lose your vision, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer or supplier of that helmet. When a product does not perform how it should have, your attorney can advise you whether or not you have a strong case for products liability. In this case, you will want to be sure to not only consult an experienced accident attorney, but an accident attorney with experience in products liability as you will be seeking the recovery of damages for loss of wages and ability to earn wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. An attorney with experience handling products liability cases will know how to best proceed with your claim and help you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Not only may you be able to receive compensation for you injuries, but a court may order the manufacturer or supplier to pay additional money as punishment for the defective product. When this happens, you are being awarded punitive damages. That is, damages awarded are to deter the manufacturer or supplier of the defective product from continuing to provide the public with defective products. An experienced products liability lawyer will know how to argue for such compensation.

When both parties share responsibility for an accident, an accident lawyer may be able to use comparative negligence liability to reduce the amount of money a defendant is responsible for. Comparative negligence reduces the amount of damages a plaintiff can recover due to their own negligence in contributing to the accident that caused their damages.

For example, if a person runs a red light, hits your car while you are driving through the intersection with the right of way, and you receive extensive injuries due to not wearing your seatbelt, you are partially at fault for your injuries since you were not wearing a safety restraint. In this instance, if your case went to court, a jury would decide how much responsibility you bear for your injuries. Responsibility is measured by percentage and a jury may tell you that you are 30 percent responsible for your damages and the person who ran the red light is 70 percent responsible. In this case, the defendant would only be responsible for paying 70 percent of your damages due to the accident and you would be responsible for the remaining 30 percent on your own.

Standards for determining comparative negligence liability vary from state to state. In some states, the plaintiff may not receive any recovery for damages if they are found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. In other states, the plaintiff may recover a percentage of their damages no matter what percentage of the responsibility they share. And in still other states, contributory negligence reigns. That means you can recover no damages if you are responsible to any degree. An experienced accident lawyer can help you understand what to do if you are partially responsible for your damages.

When comparative negligence is a possibility in your car accident claim, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of an experienced accident lawyer. An accident lawyer with expertise handling cases with comparative negligence will be familiar with state laws that may help you recover the most money you are entitled to for recovery of your damages.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is important to remain at the accident scene. Leaving an accident scene can result in a charge of “hit and run” or “leaving the scene of an accident” which can further complicate an already stressful situation. Also, if you leave the scene of the accident, you are allowing the account of the other driver involved in the accident to be the basis for the police report. That means the other driver may place 100 percent of the blame on you.

Not only is it important to remain at the scene of the accident, but it is also important to check for injuries and call the police. It is essential to file a police report immediately following an auto accident so there is official documentation of what happened. Also, be sure to seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Remember, after a motorcycle accident you will be in a state of shock which will interfere with your ability to accurately assess the pain that you are feeling or the injuries that you sustained. Not seeking immediate medical attention may affect your ability to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Therefore, even if your injuries are not obvious at the time of the accident, be sure to have your condition checked by a medical doctor soon after the accident so your motorcycle accident attorney can help you recover the compensation you are entitled to and you can file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

It is also important to exchange information with the other motorist(s) involved in the accident. You will want to exchange driver’s licenses and vehicle registration papers with the other driver(s) and write down the following information: name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number and expiration date, insurance company and contact information, and written description of the other vehicle (the make, model, year, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number).

Another important thing to do is preserve evidence of the motorcycle accident. Follow the same procedures you would if you were in a car accident (see How to Preserve Evidence after a Car Accident). Taking good notes and plenty of photographs will assist your motorcycle accident attorney in helping you receive sufficient compensation for your injuries and damages.

As is often the case in motorcycle accidents, you will not be able to take these actions if you have been injured severely. Therefore, it is imperative that you contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident so he or she can investigate the accident and put together a strong case for your claim. Be sure to contact a lawyer who has experience handling motorcycle accidents as they will be familiar with the intricacies of the law as they pertain to your case. Many factors can contribute to your damages and injuries and an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine if you have a products liability claim in addition to a claim against the other motorist involved in the accident.

If you are the relative of someone who has died in a motorcycle accident, it is also important that you contact a motorcycle accident attorney right away. Motorcycle claims can be complex and difficult to interpret. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you understand your rights and provide you with the expertise and knowledge you need to fight for fair compensation.

Once you have a list of attorneys with experience in car accident or personal injury claims, you should find out their record of success in overseeing cases like yours. A strong record of success demonstrates expertise and experience in handling accident claims. If a car accident attorney has won numerous other cases like yours, it is a good indicator that he or she will have the experience necessary to handle your case.

Another thing you want to know about your potential car accident attorney is if they have experience trying cases like yours. It is important to have a lawyer with a good reputation as a trial lawyer even if you are planning on settling your claim outside of court; you may need to go to trial to receive fair compensation for your damages and/or injuries. Also, insurance companies tend to offer larger settlements if your attorney has a reputation as a good trial lawyer as insurance companies generally want to avoid going to court. A good trial lawyer will give you the type of attention that your case deserves and help you obtain the recovery you are entitled to.

You also want to know if your potential lawyer charges a contingency fee or an hourly rate. Most car accident lawyers use a contingency fee, where you do not have to pay the attorney upfront. Rather, they receive a percentage of your award or settlement (usually 1/3) as compensation for their work. That means the attorney has to be successful to be paid for his or her services. While it is common practice for car accident lawyers to charge a contingency fee for their services, never assume this to be true. If the attorney will work for you on a contingency basis, ask what percentage of the recovery they will take and how additional costs of litigation will be calculated. Always ask how the attorney will be compensated for their work.

It is also good to know if your potential accident lawyer belongs to their state’s Trial Lawyers Association and/or the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). Involvement in these organizations shows a commitment to promoting fair and effective justice. Other things to consider are years of experience, what law school the attorney attended and any additional training they may have.

Once you have gathered all of this information about your potential car accident lawyer, compare the qualifications of all the accident attorneys you researched and select the attorney who has the most experience handling your type of claim and has the best record, the best trial experience, and the best character. Often times, the money recovered for you may be directly correlated to the quality of the lawyer you choose.

There are several things that you need to do when you are involved in a car accident. First, stop your car. Do not leave the accident scene as hit-and-run policies are severe and can complicate your situation. If it is at all possible, move your car out of traffic to a safe place. If you cannot move your vehicle, use cones or flares and/or your vehicle’s hazard lights to alert on-coming traffic of the wreck and prevent additional collisions.

Next, check to see if anyone is injured. If someone is injured, call an ambulance for assistance. Do not attempt to move someone who is injured severely if you are not trained to do so. Moving an injured person can result in making their accident injuries worse. Use your judgment, though, as removing a person from a flaming car may worsen their injuries, but save their life. You should always move injured people if they are at risk of further injuries or death.

After making sure everyone involved in the accident is okay, call the police. It is your responsibility to file an accident report with the police. If the police do not arrive at the scene, file a written report at the police department as soon after the accident as possible. When talking to the police, do not admit guilt or put blame on others involved in the accident. Try to simply state the facts. For example, instead of saying, “I wasn’t speeding,” tell the officer how fast you were going, “I was going 45 mph in this 50 mph speed zone.”

If the officer issues you a ticket, sign it. Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt; rather, it is a promise that you will appear in court to contest the ticket or pay the ticket at a later time. Refusing to sign a ticket may result in arrest. Before admitting guilt or paying a fine, it is a good idea to contact an accident lawyer so you do not inadvertently hurt your chances of collecting damages from the other driver later. An attorney can help you resolve these legal issues.

Do not rely on the police report alone for an investigation of your car accident, but also make and maintain a copy of your own detailed notes. If your case needs to go to court, these details will greatly assist you and your attorney as most cases take approximately 14-22 months to go to court. Therefore, you should write down everything about the accident while it is fresh in your memory.

Your notes should address the following:

• time and date of accident
• where were you going or coming from (why were you driving?)
• weather conditions
• police officer’s name
• facts of the accident (were you or the other driver on a cell phone at the time of the accident?)
• names and contact information for any witnesses
• names and addresses of any passengers
• place of the accident

The more detailed your notes, the better your chance of receiving the compensation you deserve. These notes will be useful if you need to contact a car accident lawyer to collect damages.

Part of taking good notes is taking good pictures. Again, do not rely on police photos alone for an investigation of your car accident. You should take pictures of the accident scene as soon as possible after the accident and from many different angles and distances. Take more pictures than you think you need. These traffic accident pictures will be used to show the overall context of the accident and assess the damages to each vehicle and/or person when you talk to the insurance claims adjustor. It is a good idea to contact an attorney to negotiate with a claims adjustor since insurance companies are trying to establish liability and limit damages when they contact you. A car accident lawyer has the experience to negotiate with insurance claims adjustors for the amount of money you are entitled to.

After the accident, you should exchange the following information with the other driver: name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number and expiration date, insurance company and contact information, and written description of the other vehicle (the make, model, year, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number). To obtain this information, you and the other driver should show each other your driver’s license and vehicle registrations.

Finally, be sure to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Most insurance companies require policyholders to file insurance claims immediately after an accident. The insurance company may deny you coverage if you do not report your accident promptly. In some cases, it is a good idea to contact an attorney to help fight for damages.

Basic First Aid Kit

Having a basic first aid kit will help you be ready for minor wounds and injuries you may encounter in an accident or other emergency situation. Make sure your first aid kit is stocked with small and large bandages, pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, gauze, tweezers and scissors.

Non-Perishable High Energy Foods

If a car accident or emergency has you stranded, it’s important that you have high energy foods to keep your body fueled. Since these items will likely remain in your car for a long time, it is important to stock non-perishable foods like granola bars, raisins, peanut butter, MREs (meals ready to eat), etc.

Water

Water is important for several reasons: it can be used to help clean wounds, help keep you hydrated, help cool down an overheated car. Keep in mind that if you are stranded somewhere for a couple days, you will need water to survive more than food. Look for water packets with a long shelf life (at least 5 years) as these are easy to store and don’t take up much room.

Flashlight/Light Sticks

If you are stranded at night, need to change a flat tire in the evening or try to flag someone down, a flashlight and light sticks can help.  Light sticks are great because they can last up to 12 hours, provide sufficient light to attract attention and light your path. Remember to store batteries for your flashlight separate from your flashlight since they can corrode if left in the battery compartment.

Disposable Camera

A disposable camera is a must have if you are in a car accident. If you have to go to court to seek damages from another person, you need to know that photos from a digital camera may be contested easier than photos captured on film since digital photos are easier to manipulate. For information on what kind of pictures to take after an accident, see How to Preserve Evidence after a Car Accident.

Pocket Knife

Having a pocket knife with multiple tools like a screwdriver, bottle opener, blade and pliers is always a good idea. You never know how you may need the assistance of one of these tools after going through a car accident or emergency situation.  For example, a pocket knife should enable you to cut through any seatbelts that won’t release.

Cell-Phone Charger

Being able to communicate with emergency personnel and family is important after being involved in a car accident or other emergency situation. Since you can’t predict where your car will break down or where you will be involved in an accident, it is important to have access to a mobile communication device if a landline phone is not an option.  Making sure your phone works when you need it is essential. For this reason, it is important to keep a cell-phone charger in your glove box for emergency situations.

Tools

It is important to have access to the tools you need if your car breaks down on the road. Screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers are all things you should consider keeping in your car (the spare tire well is a good place to store these) so that you are prepared for common roadside mishaps, like flat tires.

Poncho/Raingear

Having a poncho or raingear handy will help you be prepared for roadway emergencies that occur in inclement weather.

Road flares/Reflective Triangles

It is important to be able to warn on-coming traffic of an accident or roadway emergency so that they can drive with due caution and not cause additional accidents. Road flares should only be used as warning signals and not for light.

Matches

Depending on where your car breaks down or where your accident happens, it is important to be able to create a fire if you are going to be stranded overnight. Keeping waterproof matches as part of your car emergency kit is always a good idea.

Battery-Powered Radio

If you are going to be stranded for several days, having access to information about the weather, current events and emergency information is essential. Since your car is generally always within close range of you, it is a good place to store a battery-powered radio so that you are prepared no matter what the emergency is.

Winter Gear

If you live in a state where cold winters are the norm, it is important to include a blanket, hats and gloves in your emergency kit. The ability to stay warm when you are stranded or in an accident may be paramount to your survival.

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After reading through this list, you may wonder how you can possibly store all of these items in your car.  When you are putting together your emergency kit, it is important to think creatively about how to store each item. Since most of these items are things you will rarely need, it is not important that they be easily accessible from the driver’s seat. Tools, water supply, radios, road flares and non-perishable foods can all easily be stored in your spare tire well. Smaller items, like matches, pocket knives, flashlights, first aid kit and disposable cameras can be stored in your glove compartment or under seats. When storing emergency supplies under your seats, be sure to secure them with a bungee cord so that they stay in place while your vehicle is in motion.

While some people prefer to gather the supplies to make their own emergency car kit, prepackaged emergency kits are available from a variety of retailers. These kits often include most of these items in a compact carrying case that make it easy to store everything in your vehicle.