What if I am Hit by Someone Without a Driver’s License?
Being involved in any type of car accident can be overwhelming. In most cases, the driver who has injured you has a driver’s license and car insurance. However, some motorists may have either a suspended license or even no permission to drive in the first place. Do not think that you are without legal recourse. You may be able to file a claim against your own car insurance policy or even a lawsuit against the responsible driver. In any type of car accident, you need help from an experienced lawyer who can navigate the legal process on your behalf. Here is what you should do if you have been involved in an accident with a driver who does not have a license.
Get a Police Accident Report
The first thing to do is to call the police to the scene of the accident. You would need an accident report to use with your claim that may describe the circumstances of the accident. The police officer would note that the other driver did not have a license. They may also include other observations, such as who they believe was at fault for the accident and conditions at the time of the crash. The police report is essential for when you would eventually file a car accident claim.
Can I Still Be Compensated for an Accident with an Unlicensed Driver?
Chances are that a driver without a license also does not have car insurance. When you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may still have a pathway to financial compensation. Hopefully, you availed yourself of the option to purchase as much uninsured motorist coverage as possible. Delaware Law requires that car insurance companies give you the option to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. It is not mandatory that they automatically include this coverage with your policy, but you can buy it. The hope is that you purchased more than the minimum and coverage because you cannot control what other drivers may do on the road.
You would file a claim with your car insurance company, and they would cover your damages the same as if you could receive money from the other driver’s policy. Do not make the mistake of thinking that your own insurance company is on your side simply because you are their customer. They will take a critical look at any claim before they pay you money. Even when they offer you a settlement, it will likely be for less than you deserve. You still need a car insurance lawyer to deal with your insurance company because You are still dealing with a difficult legal process.
Do I Have to Prove Fault in the Car Accident?
The fact that someone does not have a driver’s license does not automatically mean that they are liable for the accident. You still need proof of what happened to demonstrate that the other driver was negligent. You would file evidence with your claim that proves someone else was responsible. Even if you are dealing with your own insurance company, they would still carefully review any proof to determine that you are due financial compensation.
You still have the right to sue the driver involved in the crash, even if they did not have a license. However, the best outcome in most cases is that you obtain a judgment against them because they may not have the financial assets necessary to pay you. Personal injury judgments are notoriously difficult to collect, although a car accident lawyer can help you determine whether the driver has any assets for you to seize.
Contact the Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. to Learn More
The Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help you assess your legal options and fight for your financial compensation. We are always on your side from the moment you first hire us to represent you. Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys by calling us today at 302-656-5445 or by contacting us online. Our offices are in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we work with clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
Who Is Responsible for a Merging Car Accident?
Changing or entering lanes is one of the most dangerous maneuvers that a driver can make on the road. When you are exiting your lane and entering another, there is always the possibility that another driver can be occupying that lane at that time. Simply stated, two cars cannot be in the same place at once. Merging car accidents can cause serious injuries. If you have been injured in a merging car accident, there is a high chance that you may be entitled to financial compensation when you are the driver who was not doing the merging. Still, you should contact an experienced attorney to learn your legal rights.
Common Causes of Merging Car Accidents
Merging car accidents can happen for several reasons, including:
- A driver is distracted and does not see another car in their blind spot.
- The motorist is over-aggressive and does not give themselves enough room to execute the merge.
- A driver hesitates when they have an opening to enter traffic.
- The motorist tries to cut across multiple lanes of traffic.
- A driver misjudges how much time and room they have to merge.
The most common type of merging car accident is a sideswipe crash. A driver has attempted to enter a lane while another motorist is already passing through traffic. In other cases, the front of one driver’s car may strike the back of the other, although it would not be a rear-end crash. In both of these types of accidents, there is a chance that one or both motorists can lose control of their car and end up in the midst of traffic.
The driver who is attempting a merging maneuver must yield the right of way to the car already in traffic. There is no legal obligation for a driver who is already established in their lane to let the other driver in ahead of them. While some may choose to yield, it is a choice that the driver is allowed to make.
The Merging Driver Is Usually the One to Blame for the Accident
Usually, the legal presumption is that the driver who was in the process of making the merge is the one to blame for the accident. The driver who is already established in traffic is the motorist who could file the claim for an injury suffered in the accident. However, you still need to have some type of proof that can show what the other motorist did. Insurance companies may try to share the blame between drivers, cutting your financial compensation. No matter what the presumption is, you may still need a lawyer to gather evidence that can be used to prove your claim.
However, just like every other car accident case, presumptions are not ironclad, and there are ways that you can disprove them. You would need to come to the table with specific evidence that would allow you to overcome the presumption. For example, the non-emerging vehicle may be overly aggressive and intentionally hit another driver who they believe cut them off in traffic. The non-merging driver could have also been speeding, leading the merging motorist to misjudge the amount of time that they had to enter the lane. These cases are the exception rather than the norm, so you would need some proof to back up your claims.
Contact the Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A.
When you have been involved in any crash on the road, a Wilmington car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can advocate for you. Call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation, where one of our attorneys will review your case and give you advice on how to proceed. We have offices in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
Texting and Driving: What Is the Law in Delaware?
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in both Delaware and throughout the country. When a driver takes their eyes off the road to send a text, they are not able to focus for up to 30 seconds. In that time, their car can travel as much as half a mile at full speed on the highway. Distracted driving accidents tend to be more serious because there is an even greater element of unpredictability involved. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, you should contact an experienced attorney to review your legal options and fight for you to get full compensation.
Use of a Hands-Free Device Is Prohibited on Delaware Roads
The only way to use a phone while driving in Delaware is if it is completely hands-free. Anything that involves the use of your hands becomes a violation of the law, which allows police to pull you over and give you a ticket. These laws apply whether you are on a highway or driving on local roads.
There are numerous restrictions on the use of a handheld device while driving in Delaware. The first thing that you are not able to do is hold the phone while you are speaking on it. If you need to talk while you are driving, you would have to do it through Bluetooth. Even then, a driver should use their best judgment about when it could be distracting to have a phone conversation behind the wheel.
Further, Delaware law also prohibits reading or sending texts while driving. In addition, drivers are not allowed to send emails or check the internet while behind the wheel. Anything that results in you holding your phone in your hand or looking at it while driving can be grounds for an officer to pull you over and give you a citation.
Texting While Driving Is a Primary Offense in Delaware
Unlike other states, a police officer can pull a driver over in Delaware for the sole reason that they see them using their mobile device. Using a phone while driving is considered a primary offense, and the police officer does not need to see that you have done something else wrong to assess this fine as an additional one. Delaware law states a driver is given a $100 fine for a first offense for texting while driving. Second or subsequent offenses can result in a fine of up to $300. Although texting while driving itself does not result in points on a license, a driver may receive points for something that they did because they were texting, such as speeding or making an illegal lane change.
Obtaining Proof of Distracted Driving Can Help Your Legal Case
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by distracted driving, you may be entitled to a significant amount of financial compensation. You do not necessarily have to prove that the driver was distracted, but it can help with your legal case. An experienced car accident attorney can help you obtain cell phone records through the subpoena process if you file a lawsuit against the responsible driver.
If there is any close call about liability, these records can be used to prove that the driver was doing something wrong. Further, obtaining cell phone records through a subpoena can also give you more leverage when you are trying to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. They may not want to fight you when there is conclusive proof that their policyholder was doing something wrong at the time of the accident.
Contact a New Castle Car Accident Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Today
If you have been injured in a crash that involves distracted driving, the New Castle car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help. Our lawyers would work to establish liability for the accident and then fight for you to get every dollar you deserve in a settlement. The first step to take is to call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our offices are located in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
How Does Weather Play into Car Accidents?
It is axiomatic that nobody is in control of the weather. Two things that drivers can control are whether they choose to go out in the weather and the level of care that they will use in less-than-favorable conditions. There are numerous risks of accidents in adverse weather. If you have been injured in a car accident, you should contact an attorney to help determine whether you are eligible for financial compensation. In the meantime, here are some challenges inherent in driving during adverse weather events.
Slippery Roads
One of the major challenges of driving in inclement weather is that the roads are slippery. Snow and ice will cause hazardous road conditions that can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle or not to be able to stop in time to avoid an accident. A driver may not even know when there is ice on the road because it is difficult to see. Black ice is especially treacherous and dangerous because drivers are not able to spot it before they slide. Rain can also be hazardous because it makes the road slippery and brings up substances that may be on the roadway. The most dangerous time for drivers is right after it begins to rain.
Hydroplaning is one of the biggest dangers associated with rain. If a driver is going too fast or hits a flooded patch on the road, the car’s wheels may lose contact with the pavement. When a car hydroplanes, the driver may not be able to steer or brake. They may lose control of the vehicle and cause a serious accident.
Reduced Visibility
Further, weather can reduce a driver’s visibility. When it is raining outside, a driver may have difficulty seeing both in front of them and around them on the roadway. They may also not be able to see the divide in lines on the road to know where their lane ends. Further, rain can make it difficult to see out the front windshield and into a driver’s blind spots.
High Winds
Wind is also another challenging weather factor with which a driver must contend behind the wheel. Wind can make it more difficult for a motorist to control their car. They may be blown out of their lane, or they may have difficulty steering their vehicle. Wind can also kick up debris that can strike a car or end up in a motorist’s path.
Reduced Vehicle Performance
Harsh weather conditions can impact the car’s performance itself. Even if there is no rain or snow, a car may not perform as it otherwise would have when it is extremely hot outside. The car may not be as responsive, and the tires have a higher risk of blowing out and causing a driver to lose control. Given the extremely hot summers in Delaware, it is entirely a risk that excessive heat can result in car accidents.
Drivers Are Still Liable for Accidents
No matter how focused a driver is, there is always a risk of an accident and adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately, many drivers do not take extra care when there is harsh weather. They are still speeding and distracted, and they care little about the safety of others around them on the roadway.
Being on the road and in adverse weather conditions is not a sufficient excuse to avoid liability if you have caused a car accident. A driver is expected to know when they should not leave their home and when they should remain off the roads. If a driver does travel in inclement weather, they should only progress at a speed that is safe for the circumstances. Even if the speed limit is 55 miles per hour, it does not mean that a driver needs to go that fast. Safe may mean that they are traveling considerably under the speed limit if the roads are hazardous.
Contact the Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by weather conditions, the Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can represent you in the legal process. We provide determined advocacy for car accident victims as you seek the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our offices are in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we help clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
What Are Common Types of Nerve Damage From a Car Accident?
Nerves perform a critical function in the body. They are an extensive system that transmits messages throughout your body. Nerves send electrical messages that allow parts of your body to communicate with each other. If you suffer a physical injury, the ability of the nerves to transmit these messages can be disrupted. In some cases, these injuries may heal on their own after time. In other cases, the injury may be more serious, requiring surgery. If you have suffered nerve injuries in a car accident, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation.
There are three primary types of nerve damage that you may suffer in the wake of a car accident. These injuries may vary in severity, and some may even require surgical treatment.
Neuropraxia
Neuropraxia means that there is some damage to the nerve, but this is generally the least serious type of nerve injury. There may be a block that forms along the nerve that keeps messages from passing elsewhere in the body. You would generally suffer neuropraxia from some type of trauma, whether it is impact or whiplash. These types of injuries often heal on their own within two months. Still, during that time, your physical activity may be limited, and you may not even be able to work.
Axonotmesis
Axonotmesis is a moderate injury that results when a nerve is crushed. While the nerve remains intact, its ability to transmit messages is partially disrupted. This type of injury generally results when there is a traumatic stretching of the nerves. Axonotmesis usually does not require surgery, although there will be a more extensive recovery period than you would experience in neuropraxia. Here, it could take six months to a year for the injury to heal on its own. In the meantime, you could be left with limited physical function and discomfort.
Neurotmesis
Neurotmesis is the most serious type of nerve injury that you can suffer. Here, the trauma of the car accident may completely sever a nerve. You would not be able to receive any type of message in the area that is served by the nerve. You may even suffer some type of paralysis or damage to the muscle. It is virtually impossible to recover from neurotmesis without some type of surgical intervention. These injuries do not resolve themselves on their own. Even with surgery, you may not experience a full recovery.
Nerve damage can require extensive medical treatment. Whether you recover from nerve damage, and how quickly you may get better, depends on the type of injury that you have suffered. There is a chance that you can get better without the need for surgery and rehabilitation. Still, during that time, you may experience extensive symptoms and discomfort that can take away from the quality of your life.
Are Nerve Injuries Covered in a Car Accident Settlement?
You may be entitled to substantial financial compensation for car accident nerve injuries. Not only can you be paid for the complete cost of your medical care and lost wages, but you may also be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Nerve injuries can limit your range of motion and they could leave you in lasting discomfort. The responsible driver would have a legal obligation to pay you for all of the effects of the injuries that their carelessness has caused you. Before you can file a claim, you would need an experienced car accident attorney to review your case and medical records to determine how much you may be due in compensation.
Contact the Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. for Help Today
The Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can get to the bottom of your motor vehicle crash case and work to put you in the best possible position to obtain full compensation for your injuries. All you need to do is call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our offices are in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
What Is the Impact of Smartphone Apps on Driving Performance?
Many people focus on the smartphone apps that create distractions that increase the chances of a car accident. However, there are some smartphone apps that can actually enhance driver safety by continuously scoring and grading drivers on their actions behind the wheel. These apps are particularly helpful with teen drivers who may otherwise exhibit unsafe behaviors. Apps can reduce the risk of a distracted driving accident and capture other dangerous driving habits so they can be corrected.
There Are Apps That Can Remove Distractions When You Are Driving
Some drivers may not be able to resist the temptation of their smartphone. If they hear their phone vibrate, or they get an alert that there is a text, they may not be able to wait until they pull over to talk or read the text. Some apps make life easier for a driver by automatically silencing calls, texts, and alerts once you exceed a certain speed. These apps can even send out automatic replies on your behalf when you are driving. The companies that have developed these apps claim that their programs have saved lives and prevented tens of thousands of accidents.
Some apps even go as far as to reward drivers with points when they refrain from texting behind the wheel. These points can be redeemed at local businesses for perks and discounts. Drivers may even compete against their friends, where they can determine who is the safest driver for bragging rights.
Apps Can Grade You Based on Your Safety
There are other apps that can monitor and grade a driver’s safety performance. Many insurance companies will even give their customers a discount when they download the app to their phone and activate it. The insurance company wants to know that you are a safe driver, and they may even reduce your premiums when they can see evidence of prudent driving habits. Drivers are scored, and they will lose points where they exhibit dangerous behaviors.
The tracking apps can monitor the following:
- Whether a driver is texting or using their smartphone
- The speed at which a driver is traveling
- Whether the driver brakes hard
- How the motorist steers and whether they weave in and out of lanes
- Any hard acceleration
Parents can even install this app on their teen driver’s phone, so they can monitor their habits. Some drivers use these apps on their own so they can learn of their own unsafe behavior and correct it as necessary.
Some Apps Can Allow Your Phone to Do More
Other apps can enhance your smartphone to make it fully responsive to your voice. You would not need to fiddle with any screens or use your phone with your hands to do things like adjust your music and get directions. These apps can also adjust distracting features on your phone and cover them with larger color-coded buttons.
Technology does not always have to be a distraction. You can proactively use it to make you a better driver. This would reduce the chances that you are involved in an accident and eliminate risks from unforced errors like distracted driving.
If you have been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, you may qualify for financial compensation for your injuries. Your car accident lawyer can gather evidence about the crash and use it to establish your legal right to a settlement. Then, they would fight for you to get all of the money to which you are entitled for your damages.
Contact a New Castle Car Accident Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Today
A New Castle car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can get working on your case as soon as you hire them to represent you. Our lawyers have earned a reputation as aggressive advocates who are fully prepared to go to the mat for their clients. You can schedule a free initial consultation by calling us today at 302-656-5445 or contacting us online. Our offices are located in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
What Should a Passenger Do After a Car Accident?
As a passenger who was injured in an accident, you may have a legal right to financial compensation. This compensation could come from either driver, depending on who was responsible for the accident. These types of claims can present complex legal issues, and you need an experienced car accident lawyer to guide you through the process.
Get Medical Help
The most important priority is looking after your health. Always see a doctor right after the accident to have your injuries diagnosed and treated. If you wait too long to get medical help, you could complicate your physical condition and legal case. When you see a doctor, they will give you the treatment records that you can use when you file a car insurance claim.
Assess Your Legal Options
As a passenger, you may have the legal right to sue either driver who was involved in the accident. If the driver of the other car was to blame, you can file a claim or lawsuit against them. You retain the right to sue the driver of the vehicle that you were in at the time of the accident. Only spouses are not allowed to file claims against each other and sue.
In fact, you should not hesitate to file a claim against the driver of the car you were in, even if they were a friend of yours. Their insurance company would pay your damages, and you are leaving money on the table if you elect not to file the claim. You need to take care of yourself and look after your own interests, meaning you should not absorb a financial loss that the insurance company would otherwise pay.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
One of the most important phone calls that you can make is to an experienced car accident lawyer. If someone else has injured you through their careless actions, they may owe you a significant amount of money. However, it is their insurance company who will likely be paying you. To get the money that you deserve, you would need to go through the insurance company first, and that is never easy. The legal process for car accidents is not designed to be user-friendly, and you will not obtain the best result if you try to handle matters on your own. What can make matters more complicated is when there are two parties who are filing claims against the same insurance policy.
When you hire an experienced car accident lawyer, they will represent and fight for you at every step of the way. They will deal with the insurance company on your behalf, advising you to reject any settlement offers that do not fully pay you. When the insurance company sees that you have hired an attorney, they know that you have the capability to file a lawsuit, and that is exactly what they do not want.
Be Patient to Get the Compensation That You Deserve
Insurance companies are known for their aggressive negotiation tactics. They will make your settlement offers that are for less than you deserve to try to save money on your claim. You are never under any obligation to accept what you are offered after a car accident claim. You have the legal right to full financial compensation. However, you need to be patient and hold out for as long as it takes until you are offered the full amount of your damages. If necessary, you even need to be prepared to file a lawsuit and have a jury decide the matter.
Contact a New Castle Car Accident Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. if You Were Injured as a Passenger
If you were a passenger who was hurt in a crash, a New Castle car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can fight for you to receive a full settlement check. Call us today at 302-656-5445 or use our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. Our offices are in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?
These days, cars include a number of safety features that are intended to reduce the risk of a car accident. One of these innovations is adaptive cruise control. This is a system that is designed to help drivers brake and keep a safe following distance between them and other cars. Adaptive cruise control can also assist the driver in remaining under the speed limit. However, this system can also be a danger to other drivers on the road.
How Does Adaptive Cruise Control Work?
Adaptive cruise control functions by using a network of sensors and radar to detect both the speed at which the car is traveling and the location of other vehicles on the road. The system may warn drivers of a potential rear-end collision if they are too close to a vehicle in front of them. If adaptive cruise control works and is used properly, it should help drivers avoid getting too close to the car in front of them. Drivers will have better spatial awareness and should be better able to avoid accidents.
What Are the Dangers of Adaptive Cruise Control?
There are also limitations to using adaptive cruise control. No matter what drivers think, adaptive cruise control is not intended to be an autonomous system. It is not anything like a self-driving car, even though drivers may think it is. Adaptive cruise control is solely intended to assist drivers, as opposed to doing the work for them. The system is in no way intended to be a substitute for safe driving habits and full attention to the road.
If a driver relies solely on adaptive cruise control, it is a surefire way to end up in a serious accident. Drivers may end up being overconfident when they have an adaptive cruise control. They could speed, thinking that the system would help them avoid an accident. In fact, what is meant to be a safety device often leads to more dangerous driving habits.
Can Adaptive Cruise Control Malfunction?
Adaptive cruise control has failed at times. The system itself can be subject to a malfunction. The sensors may not work, or they may not accurately detect the speed of your vehicle and the cars around you on the road. Adaptive cruise control is most likely to fail in inclement weather. The sensors may not be able to pick up anything when they are obscured by rain or snow. Further, there have been numerous instances in which adaptive cruise control systems needed to be recalled to repair defects in the system itself.
You may suffer serious injuries in an adaptive cruise control accident. The most common type of accident that is caused by either a defective system or a driver who is misusing it is a rear-end crash. Here, there may be multiple parties responsible for the accident. You may be able to sue the driver who was at fault for the crash. They cannot necessarily point to the adaptive cruise control system as the cause of the accident if they were the ones who were misusing it. You may also be able to sue the manufacturer of the system if the accident was caused by a defect. An experienced attorney could investigate the cause of the accident and help you determine potentially responsible parties.
Contact a Wilmington Car Accident Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A.
If you have been injured in a crash caused by adaptive cruise control, reach out to a Wilmington car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Our lawyers can pinpoint the cause of the accident and help you seek financial compensation when someone else was to blame for it. You should call us today at 302-656-5445 or use our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys, where we will discuss your case and advise you of the next steps. We have offices in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident?
Some of the most serious car accident injuries involve your brain. Here, you are dealing with a part of your body that differs from others. Your brain is extremely delicate, and any trauma could cause lasting and permanent injury. When you have suffered a concussion, you are at risk of continuing symptoms that may never fully go away. If someone else was to blame for the car accident, they could owe you substantial financial compensation. First, you need to contact a doctor and an attorney.
Concussion symptoms do not always appear immediately after a car accident. The adrenaline of the crash could obscure some of the effects. The brain is extremely complex, and it responds to trauma differently than other parts of the body. Depending on the part of the brand that was hurt, it may take longer for the symptoms to make their way to and from the pathways. You may have other healthy pathways in the brain that overcompensate to make up for the shortcomings of the injured area.
However, you would likely experience concussion symptoms at some point after the car accident. The first set of symptoms that you would deal with are physical. These symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Trouble balancing
- Vision problems
Cognitive Difficulties From a Concussion
Concussions could also result in cognitive difficulties. One of the main symptoms is that you are having difficulty concentrating or holding a thought for any amount of time. Your short-term memory may be affected, and you could have trouble remembering things that happened within the last several hours or days. You may end up feeling in a fog or a general sense of confusion.
Changes to Your Emotions
Accident victims may also experience changes in their emotions as a result of the concussion. Those who are dealing with concussions may find themselves anxious or agitated, more so than they were before the accident. While car accidents are stressful, a prolonged period of agitation may be a sign that something more is at work.
Changes in Your Sleep Patterns
Finally, your sleep could be a sign that you are dealing with a concussion. The brain controls sleep, and your rhythms could be disturbed. Some people suffering from a concussion may experience insomnia. At the other end of the spectrum, others may always be excessively drowsy and tired.
You Need to Seek Medical Help Immediately
You must take immediate action if you have experienced any of these symptoms. If you are on your feet and go in about your daily life when you are experiencing symptoms of concussion, you could be at risk of a more serious and permanent injury. Prompt treatment can increase the chances that you will make a full recovery. On the flip side, delaying treatment can make the concussion worse and possibly lead to post-concussion syndrome. In addition, the insurance company may notice your lack of vigilance regarding your medical care and try to cut the amount of money they pay you.
If you can prove that someone else was to blame for the accident, you would be entitled to financial compensation for your concussion injuries. Before you file your claim, you must know your prognosis to determine how much to seek damages. If you are dealing with extended post-concussion syndrome, your compensation could be higher.
Contact Our Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. if You Have a Concussion From a Crash
If you have suffered a concussion in a crash, our Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help you get full and fair compensation for your injuries. The first step is to call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Located in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, we work with clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.
What to Do if You Encounter Flood Water?
One awareness campaign from the National Weather Service advises drivers to Turn Around Don’t Drown. Wherever you go, getting somewhere on time is not worth your life. Extremely heavy rainstorms can cause flooding, which can destroy your car, put you at risk of an accident, and even put you at risk of drowning.
Try Not to Be Out When There Is a Risk of Flooding
Driving through a flood is extremely dangerous. You should do your best to avoid being out in such perilous conditions. However, you may find yourself on the road during a heavy rainstorm. Do not assume you can make it through water just because it is not too high on your car. Even lesser amounts of water can flood your engine and stall your car right at a time when you are in extreme danger.
Avoid Flooded Areas if Possible
If there are barricades on the road during a flood, they are there for a reason. Never try to pass through the barricades because you could end up in an extremely hazardous area. Always pay attention to signs warning you of flooding and potential dangers ahead of you on the road. If you are familiar with an area and realize that low-lying areas are prone to flooding, you should do your best to avoid them entirely during a heavy rainstorm.
Water Can Be Hazardous Even When It Is Not Too Deep
Know that your car can be swept off the road if you are trying to drive through as little as 12 inches of standing water. Whenever possible, you should avoid trying to drive through standing water. Your tires can lose contact with the roadway, and the water may carry your car off.
One of the problems involved in driving through a flood is that you may not know how deep the water is until you are already trying to go through it. Drivers can have great difficulty estimating the water depth before entering a flooded area. They should do their best to gauge how deep the water could be and avoid areas that are too deep altogether.
Test Your Brakes After Driving Through Water
Your car’s wheels will show you whether the water is too deep. You should not drive through water deeper than the center of your car’s wheels. Otherwise, the water could damage the bottom of your car. In addition, you could lose control of your car because your tires would lose contact with the roadway.
Leave Your Car if You Are Stuck in Water
Unfortunately, your car may not always make it through standing water. Your engine may stall, and you may be unable to restart it. If you become stuck in a pool of standing water, you should abandon your car and move to higher ground. The standing water can always get higher, potentially threatening your life. Your car could become swept away with you in it, and there is a risk that you could drown. If the water is too deep, and you cannot get out of your car, you should immediately call 911 to be rescued.
You are still in danger even if you have already made it through the water on the road. The water may have impacted your car’s brakes. You should always test the brakes as soon as you get through the water. Tap them gently to see if they respond while you are driving at a low speed. If your brakes are not working properly, you should pull off the road and seek help.
Contact a Wilmington Car Accident Lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. After a Weather-Related Crash
If you have been injured in a rain-related crash, a Wilmington car accident lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. is ready to help. The first step is to call us today at 302-656-5445 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We have offices in New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware, and we serve clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.