Parents Can Be Liable for Negligent Teen Driving

In every car accident resulting to a personal injury case, it’s very important to establish who is liable for the unfortunate event. Most of the time, it’s the person behind the wheel, but the blame can also fall on someone else even if they were not present. For instance, parents of a teen whose negligence resulted in an accident can be liable for their child’s action. The question now is when can parents be sued for their child’s actions?

Why Fleeing a Car Accident Scene Isn’t Advisable

After a major car accident, all the individuals involved have the duty to remain at the scene and wait until medical professionals and police authorities arrive. They also have to stay there until they give their testimonies to the police so a report can be duly filed.

Unfortunately, some people, as an initial reaction, choose to flee the scene. In North Carolina, doing so will be subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor charge. They will likely face fines (as much as the court deems appropriate) and ordered to serve up to 120 days in jail. That’s only the beginning, though. While fleeing the accident scene seem like a small-time offense, it could bring terrible consequences later on.

First, people with misdemeanor conviction on their records are likely to find it challenging to land their dream job. This is because it’s more common these days for companies to do criminal background checks on job candidates. Second, a misdemeanor conviction may also affect the process of applying for professional licenses.

For instance, anyone applying for state licensure with the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board is required to submit a notarized form where they have to fill out a personal background questionnaire that contains the question, “Have you in the past ten (10) years been convicted of a misdemeanor?”

For this reason, anyone who fled an accident scene should ensure they have a qualified criminal lawyer to defend them so they can avoid a misdemeanor conviction.

The law firm of Kurtz & Blum vigorously defends their client's rights. To contact a Raleigh criminal lawyer who truly knows the law please call 919-832-7700.

How to Deal with a Car Accident

Driving in busy expressways like the Interstate 540 can be tricky, especially during the late afternoon rush hour. You may be running late to pick up your kids from their soccer practice or a movie date with your romantic partner and boom! Next thing you know, you’ve rear-ended the vehicle in front of you whose driver, like you, is running late for something.

The first thing to remember when involved in a collision—no matter how minor it may seem—is to seek medical attention for both you and the other people involved in the accident. Thus, as soon as you can, pull over to a safe spot and dial 911 or any medical rescue team you know of assigned to your area. While waiting for medical professionals to arrive, you and the other drivers can exchange insurance and contact information.

At this point, it’s critical to refrain from making apologies or anything similar like, “I should have looked at the road more attentively.” Any statement of such nature can be considered as you admitting fault in the accident, which can be used against you when you seek compensation from the insurance provider. At this stage, it’s best to file for a personal injury claim with the help of a qualified personal injury lawyer.

The law firm of Kurtz & Blum vigorously defends their client's rights. To contact an experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyer please call 919-832-7700.

Dealing with a Car Accident Properly

Being involved in a car accident can mean sustaining one or more injuries, some more serious than others. For instance, a driver who is hit in the rear by another will likely sustain a neck injury in the form of a neck strain or whiplash.

As a kid, you were probably taught that whenever you hurt someone, you should say sorry. In a car accident, it’s best to forget this lesson, however. This does not mean you are turning your back on being morally upright; it simply means you are protecting your legal rights while investigation is ongoing.

In any car accident, downright admission of fault can result in negative consequences. Even when the other party is hounding you and screaming at you to carry the blame, avoid preempting the investigation. If you admit blame, this will likely be used against you once the other party files for a car accident insurance claim. Remember, even a slight admission like, “I should have looked more carefully…” can be misconstrued as admission of guilt.

As such, it’s best to remain civil and keep quiet after an accident. Let police authorities and insurance adjusters determine exactly who’s to blame for the accident. Exchange insurance information with the other driver and truthfully answer the questions asked by the police officers, but do no more than these. For your benefit, hire a personal injury lawyer who can help fight for your legal rights in such cases.

The law firm of Kurtz & Blum vigorously defends their client's rights. To contact an experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyer please call 919-832-7700.

Evidence & Car Accident Personal Injury Cases

As sensationalized as the crashes in Hollywood movies are, these slow motion scenes don't really give people an accurate picture of what happens in road accidents. In most cases, accidents like these happen at the blink of an eye, and it would be over in a matter of blurred seconds to anyone caught in it. That said, if you do get into an accident, always make sure to get as much evidence as you can, because this is the best chance you'll have of winning your personal injury case.

When you get into an accident, it is important to establish who was at fault, as well as to determine the amount of damage and injury you've suffered from the crash. Take as many pictures of the scene as you can, going in at different angles to get a clearer image of the effects of the crash. Also, try to get the accounts of bystanders on what they saw happen, so that you can prove that the accident happened through no fault of your own. If you suspect that the other driver may be impaired, then alert the officers responding to the scene.

There are so many other things you can do to build a solid case against the other driver, from keeping an extensive record of your injuries and treatments, to seeking legal counsel before contacting your insurance provider. Your evidence will help you get the compensation you deserve, so always make sure you have it.

On Legal Action Following a Car Accident

A popular bumper sticker once read that a certain four-letter expletive happens. The sticker couldn't be more apt as a decal for cars, which remain one of the deadliest forms of transportation in the world. Car accidents are the leading causes of death in America, and more people have died in automobile crashes than in airplane disasters.

Whether you survive a car accident or not, it will cause all sorts of physical and emotional distress for both you and your family. The medical bills needed to pay for treating a crash victim could also cause financial distress. If you or your relatives feel that someone must take responsibility for the tragedy, it's possible to file a personal injury claim against an individual suspected to be the cause of the accident.

In a legal dispute revolving around a car accident, the plaintiff should be able to prove the negligence of the defendant. It would help plaintiffs to acquire proper documentation of the incident as soon as it happens, so that any details wouldn't be missed. Eyewitness accounts, pieces of evidence, and testimonies will be scrutinized by the court to verify the claims of the plaintiff. Only by convincing the court of the defendant's negligence can the plaintiff win the case and be awarded compensation.