Car Accident Resources

Car accidents often have serious impacts on those affected by them. They can result in:

• Serious injuries
• Death
• Extensive property damage

Suppose you're involved in an automobile accident. In that case, you'll likely need to work with your insurance company and the insurer(s) of other people involved in the accident. You may even need a personal injury lawyer. The aftermath of an accident can be an overwhelming experience. This is true if serious injuries limit your day-to-day activities.

After an auto accident, it's essential to seek immediate medical attention for car accident injuries. As a car accident victim, you'll also want to take detailed notes about the accident. This will help file a police report with law enforcement. The accident report is a large part of reaching a settlement with insurance companies.

FindLaw's After a Car Accident: First Steps is a great place to start. Getting contact information from any witnesses to the accident is a good idea, too.

This article provides many resources related to motor vehicle and motorcycle safety. The resources also include tips on how to work with your insurer. See FindLaw's extensive Car Accidents section for additional articles and resources.

Driving Safety Resources

The resources below offer guidance on how to avoid a motor vehicle accident in the first place. These include:

• National Safety Council (NSC): Offers driving information. This includes information about defensive driving, distracted driving, employer traffic safety, and teen driving
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - Provides crash statistics. Also includes articles about automobile accidents, product safety, and child passenger safety
• Motor Vehicle Safety: MedlinePlus - This service is provided by the National Institutes of Health. It provides e-mail updates on critical motor vehicle safety issues
• Automobile Safety Foundation - Provides news and alerts about vehicle safety and includes other car accident resources
• The Center for Auto Safety - Provides news headlines and action alerts for defective automobiles and other vehicle safety information
• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - Features automobile statistics, dockets, rules, and references. This site offers dedicated sections on distracted driving and other vehicle safety issues

In addition, FindLaw's Car Accident article can give you an overview of what to expect after a crash.

Insurance Resources

Click on the links below for more information specific to car insurance. Insurance should cover your medical expenses and medical treatments, as well as property damage.

• Insurance Information Institute: Auto Insurance - Great introduction to automobile insurance. Also includes information to help you navigate making an insurance claim if you're in an accident and what to expect from insurance adjusters
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS/HLDI) - Features vehicle ratings, safety facts, and publications. Also includes special sections on airbags, impaired driving, child safety, and more

You can get an idea of what's involved in filing an insurance claim from FindLaw's Insurance Claims Basics article.

Resources for Motorcyclists

Click on the links below to learn more about safety information specific to motorcycles and motorcyclists.

• Motorcycle Safety Foundation - Develops comprehensive safety training programs for motorcyclists
• Motorcycle Safety (NHTSA) - This is a motorcycle safety guide published by the NHTSA in conjunction with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

More information on motorcycle accidents is available here.

Product Information Resources

Click on any of the links below to learn more about recalls. This can include safety features like seatbelts or airbags that may have been involved in your accident. You can learn more about warranties here, too.

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Features consumer publications, product recalls, reports on unsafe products, and statistics. Includes content about automobile safety
• USAGov, formerly known as the Federal Citizen Information Center - Features consumer information on cars. This includes pamphlets and brochures covering a wide variety of automotive topics (such as parents' guides to car safety)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Auto Warranties and Routine Maintenance - Provides consumer education materials on automobile warranties and the importance of routine maintenance

For more about vehicle recalls and defects, take a look at FindLaw's article on the subject.

Get Legal Advice on Your Car Accident Claim

If you or a loved one has been in a car crash, you may have questions about what to do next. Maybe you need to pursue a wrongful death or personal injury claim against an at-fault driver after a drunk driving accident, or your medical care bills are piling up as you fight with insurance companies.

Don't try to figure out a car accident lawsuit on your own. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer near you for legal representation in your car accident case. 

A car accident attorney specializing in personal injury law can help you negotiate a settlement offer to compensate you for your accident injuries and medical bills. An auto accident attorney can also guide you through the insurance claims process and help you understand the types of damages you might be able to recover. Personal injury attorneys will work on a contingency fee basis with you.