As with any US law, the traffic laws in what is commonly known as a no-fault state are dramatically different from other states, and it is wise to check your rights and priorities before you start participating in traffic, and you would be smart to know that if you are involved in a wreck, you will more than likely require the help of experienced auto accident lawyers.
The 12 no-fault states are: Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. If you live in a no-fault state, the no-fault portion of your auto insurance policy is referred to as PIP or Personal Injury Protection.
When it comes to traffic accidents, it is extremely important to find out ahead of time what you need to do, if you ever do happen to get in an accident. What you do at the scene and the information you are able to obtain while both parties are still on the scene could very well determine the outcome of any trial that could eventually take place.
If you are involved in anything other than a fender-bender, you would do well to hire an auto accident lawyer to make sure that your rights are protected under the no-fault law.
Auto accident lawyers in no-fault states are specialized in traffic law, and should know all the ins and out, loopholes and even the most curious laws regarding the different traffic situations that could lead to litigation, and it is wise to contact one of them if you have had an accident, to ensure your rights are properly represented should you ever need to go to court.
While your accident lawyer will try to help you to get all expenses covered by the other party, or even get compensation for pain suffered, because of the no-fault laws, you will have to claim your medical expenses for your injuries through your own auto and health insurance company. The no-fault law has been instated in 12 states across the US in order to speed up any court arrangements, so that all people involved can get the medical help they need.
However, if you are looking for money in order to pay for the damages done by the other party, you will have to hire an auto accident specialist lawyer in case their insurance company does not see fit to cover the property damage done to your vehicle.
In order to have the best chance at full payment, you must make sure to adhere to the state laws and rules that dictate specifically what to do and how to react after a car accident. If you have been in a car accident and the total estimation of damages is over $500, you must immediately report this to the authorities, this means that you will have to contact the state Highway Patrol where the accident took place on any of the interstates, or the local police regarding accidents on the city streets.
You should also know that you are not allowed to leave the place where the accident took place if there is no medical emergency involved, because this could get you a fine or even jail time.
It is also important that you get as much information as possible about the accident, even take your own pictures of the scene if you can, because any information you can gather yourself, might help your auto accident lawyer when he or she is filing the case and defending you in court.
No-fault lawyers are easy to locate online. For example, if you live in the Orlando, Florida area, you would simply do an Internet search for “Orlando Auto Accident Lawyers”. Such a search will return you an entire list of attorneys that do nothing but specialize in auto accident cases.
