Official data tells us that there were 1,360 traffic crash cases in all in Joplin, Missouri. Of these, 289 resulted in injuries, while 12 ended in fatalities. Those are statistics that need to be taken seriously.
Finding yourself in a car accident can be disastrous in several ways. While you can be extremely careful behind the wheel, others may not share your enthusiasm for safety. An accident is ultimately unpredictable.
What you can do is to ensure that adequate steps are taken beforehand to deal with such emergencies. Amongst the most vital of those is finding a Joplin Car Accident Lawyer.
They will be somebody you can depend on as they will ensure you get satisfactory compensation after your accident. But there are some things related to car and auto accidents in Joplin, Missouri, that you should know.
Understanding the comparative fault system
As stated above, there could be times when you could be at fault in case of an accident. There are others where you might not be. Therefore, it is essential to understand the comparative fault system of the state.
For example, Missouri, where the city of Joplin is situated, has a pure comparative fault rule. According to that, the liability of the defendant is automatically reduced if the plaintiff was negligent.
You might have been driving with extreme precaution, but the pedestrian or the other vehicle didn’t observe proper safety protocols. In those cases, your lawyer will be able to determine whether the plaintiff was negligent and proceed accordingly.
Under the comparative fault principle, the amount you receive as compensation will depend on the percentage of blame that you share in the accident. The higher your share of the blame, the lower your compensation amount is likely to be.
Reduction of medical bills
As opposed to the situation mentioned above, there could be times when you might be at fault. In those cases, the responsibility of paying the medical bills and bearing treatment expenses will fall upon you.
In those cases, you should have a liability insurance policy that will cover your legal liability. The minimum coverage required by Missouri, including Joplin, is $25000 for the bodily injury of a single person. Meanwhile, for a single accident, it is $50000. For property damage, the minimum coverage amount is $25000.
At the site of the accident
Of course, after an accident, it would be wise to call your lawyer as quickly as possible. Depending on the intensity of the mishap, you might not be in a position to deal with the situation yourself.
However, if you are, here’s what should be done. The law of Joplin and Missouri requires you to stop at the accident site. Call the police immediately and try to help anyone who is hurt.
It would help if you also exchanged names, driver license numbers, address, vehicle identification, insurance company name, license plate number, and policy number.
According to the law, you should file an accident report if it occurred in less than a year, involved an uninsured motorist, and caused property damage, whether significant or minor. You should also never leave the site of an accident until told to do so by a law enforcement officer.
These are some of the things you should know about car accidents in Joplin in Missouri.
When you hire a reliable Joplin Car Accident Lawyer after a car accident, they will be able to guide you on your next steps, and even speak to the insurance companies and authorities on your behalf, to ensure you don’t say anything that might affect your chances of getting a fair compensation amount.
