What to Do After a Car Crash That Was Not Your Fault In Ireland

What to Do After a Car Crash That Was Not Your Fault *

It does not matter how good a driver you are or how many years you have been on the road for, there is still the risk of being involved in a car crash. Unfortunately, you cannot control what other drivers do and this means an incident can happen that was not your fault. Indeed, car crashes can be scary experiences. They can give you a fright and knock your confidence. They can also leave you with injuries and damage to your vehicle. Let’s take a look at what you should do after a car crash if it was not your fault. You may be entitled to compensation for the accident.

The Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Crash

First of all, your safety should always be a priority after a crash. Make sure that you check for any injuries you have sustained, as well as ask any passengers if they are hurt. Call an ambulance if somebody is injured and requires treatment. Even if you think that your injury is minor, it may get worse if you do not seek any medical treatment and it is best to be safe.

The next step is going to be calling the Gardaí. You want to report the accident and have a report on what has happened. In some cases, they will not attend the scene. You will have to gather the important information so that you can officially report it at the station later. You should exchange information with the other driver who caused the accident. This will include information like:

• Name
• Address
• Contact details
• Insurance information
• Car registration number

Following the accident, you will want to document exactly what has happened in case you decide to make a compensation claim. Note down everything that has happened, including the time and date, what happened on the road and the damage that has been done to your car and injuries.

Take photos of everything that is relevant, including your vehicle, the other driver’s vehicle and the scene of the accident. This is all going to help later on. In addition, you should take names and contact details of any independent witnesses that saw what happened. The more evidence you have that the accident was not your fault, the more chance you have of successfully recovering compensation.

Then you will want to contact your insurance company. They will need to know what has happened even if the accident was not your fault. This is going to allow you to recover compensation faster.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

There are a number of accidents that are common and caused by another driver that is being negligent. For example, rear-end collisions happen more than you would think. This is when the other party collides with the back of your vehicle. This is usually because they did not keep a safe distance and did not break in time when you came to a stop. Perhaps they were also doing something illegal at the time, such as being on the phone or being under the influence. This is considered a crime and you should consider contacting a criminal solicitor in Dublin to help you out if that is the case.

Other common causes of car accidents include:

• Merging traffic accidents
• Speeding accidents
• Not obeying traffic lights
• Failing to yield
• Tailgating

Common Injuries and Post-Accident Problems

The most common injury sustained during a car crash is soft tissue of the neck and/or back, known as Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) or more commonly simply whiplash. This can be painful and cause short or sometimes long-term discomfort. Depending on the severity of the whiplash, it can affect your ability to do your job and your leisure pursuits and hobbies.

You will often sustain scrapes, cuts and bruises from a car accident. Most of these are minor and will heal by themselves and not cause any long-term problems. However, there are other injuries that can, such as:

• Head injuries
• Broken ribs
• Herniated disc
• Knee trauma
• Fractured arms/legs or other bones

How You Can Have a Successful Claim

Even if the other driver isn’t disputing liability for the accident, it is always best to contact a solicitor when you have been injured in a car crash. Having a legal expert on your side will ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. They have the experience and training to make sure the right result is reached. If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, contact McSweeney Solicitors today.

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement.