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Auto Accidents
For questions and answers on these topics: determining who is at fault; insurance; accident statistics; and, trends and automotive safety issues.
2,604 Questions
How long do you have to report a hit and run to the police for criminal prosecution?
All states and locales may have varying laws on this but as a general rule, the jurisdictions I am aware of require that accidents causing over $100. in damages be reported within 24 hours of their occurrence, or of their being found. Yours may vary - check with local law enforcement.
Can you be sued for a car accident after you have filed for bankruptcy?
Yes, the accident and bankruptcy are two different issues.
Is the driver who hits another from the rear always at fault?
No. For example if a driver stops at green light and the driver to his rear hits him, it is the driver in front's fault.
If you hit a car dead on the freeway who's at fault?
Yours, you should have been paying more attention while driving. That is the way it is seen in the DMV, police and insurance companies eyes.
How many 18 year olds die in car accidents a year?
Each year over 5000 teen's ages 16 to 20 years old die due to fatal injuries caused by auto accidents.
If you were the victim of hit and run driver, and your vehicle damaged others as a result - notify your insurance company and it, and the insurance companies of the other damaged vehicles, will engage in what is known as "subrogation" of the costs of repairing the vehicles involved.
How many days do you have to file a police report after an accident?
10 days after the accident in NY ADDED: In several jurisdictions I am aware of it is: within 24 hours after its occurrence. Obviously, it seems as if it would be a wise idea to check your local regulations
While "hit and run" is a violation everywhere in the US, whether on private or public property, the reality is that unless there is a significant amount of damage the police just don't have the time or manpower to thoroughly investigate minor fender-benders. The best thing to do would be to turn your information over to your insurance company and let them handle it. Rather than have to pay out their money to fix your car they might be able to determine the offender and have THEIR insurance company pay for it.
Who is fault is it when someone opens their door while your pulling in next to them?
The person driving the vehicles fault. Should have been paying attention and be alert for anything to happen at anytime.
Is it illegal to pull forward out of a parking spot if there is no one parked in front of you?
Is this taking place on private property parking lot (like a supermarket lot) or in a parking location on a public street? If on a private parking lot it would probably not be illegal to pull out of the spot in the manner you say, traffic laws generally do not apply on private parking lots. However, if you do it without due caution and hit someone or something you can be charged with the collision.
If someone hits your car and you don't know who it is?
File a report with the local police agency and report it to your insurance company.
You are responsible to the driver of the car you hit for the damage caused to their vehicle because you are supposed to be in control of your vehicle at all times and technically you were stopped too closely to the car in front of you. You may however be able to recoup your losses from the driver who hit you; and of course the driver who hit you is responsible for the damages to your vehicle caused by their vehicle. ADDED: I DISAGREE with the initial response. The person who hit you, thereby causing your car to collide with the one in front of you, is ultimately at fault for all damages. There are no statutes of which I am aware that mandate a distance which you must keep from the vehicle in front of you while stopped in traffic. While it IS true that you are obligated to have your vehicle under control, WHILE YOU ARE OPERATING IT, you are not expected to have it under your complete control after being unexpectedly struck as a result of a traffic collision. RESPONSE: The source of my response is what I have always been taught in various law and operator safety classes, but in any case this should probably move to the discussion section; for the record, most states do have laws regarding 'following too closely.' All that said I am by no means an expert in law and my answer represents my best attempts to restate the knowledge I have and the research I did; if faulty I apologize and suggest the answer be changed completely from this discussion to an absolute answer.
What is the number one cause of collisions on the freeway you?
The number one cause of collisions on the freeway is following too closely (tailgating).
Probably the second one, because the first could sue YOU for trying to make them pay for damages they didn't cause. Unless the second person is your friend who wouldn't talk about it and you never bring it up again or call the police on it.
Does PIP pay for loss of income due to a car accident?
Does PIP cover loss of income from a job if injured in an auto accident?
A male singer that compossed a song about him being in a car accident?
Kanye West's 'Through the Wire' was recorded after he was in a near fatal car accident in 2002. '"The wire" refers to having his jaw wired shut as part of the treatment of his injuries.
What is a SR1 report with the DMV?
You don't say which state you are in, but there are similar DMV documents in other states like that, that are in reference to your insurance coverage.
What is the legal charge in Texas for a hit and run accident?
"Leaving The Scene of an Accident" and "Hit and Run" seem to be used interchangeably.
Was Prentice Smith killed in a car accident lately?
There was a Prentice Smith who died April 28, 2008 in a car accident, but this may not be the Prentice Smith you're thinking of. Please see the attached link to his obituary. There are 11 people named Prentice Smith on Facebook as of Memorial Day, 2009, and they all seem to be still alive.
