Automobile accidents are often the most costly of any accident, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is because they can be expensive regarding medical bills and property damage. The cost of car accidents can be astronomical, so you want to protect yourself and your business.
What’s the worst thing that could happen to a business regarding car accidents? Having a client injured? That’s a huge setback, but what if the client was your competitor?
It’s easy to forget about a competitor’s client when they’re not involved in the accident, but accidents can happen when you least expect them. And while most businesses can handle a few minor injuries, they don’t have the resources to manage a major incident.
To boost business growth, it is important to get into a flow state where you are calm, relaxed, and focused. Unfortunately, most of us have been in car accidents that we can barely remember, but they have a lasting impact on our state of mind. This article will discuss three car accidents that helped people achieve business growth.
What is a car accident?
A car accident happens when a motor vehicle collides with another object, and it can lead to serious injuries. Car accidents can be fatal; in the United States, they’re the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 34.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates more than 3.5 million car accidents yearly. Of those, more than 33,000 are fatal.
A commercial insurance policy covers most businesses that own a car, but it’s not enough to protect you if you’re involved in a car accident.
Even if you’re not driving the car, you may still be responsible for the damage you’ve caused.
Legal issues of car accidents
I’ve found that many companies fear dealing with legal issues that might arise from car accidents. After all, it’s hard to predict what might happen, and you can’t afford to lose a client or employee due to an accident.
It’s important to remember that car accidents aren’t limited to physical injuries. They can also cause serious legal issues, such as insurance fraud.
The following are some of the most common legal issues that can arise from car accidents and how you can avoid them:
1. Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud is one of the biggest risks to any business. It can lead to claims against your insurance company, which means you might be paying more than you should for your policy.
You can avoid this by ensuring your employees and clients are covered by insurance. They shouldn’t have to pay for a claim if they didn’t cause the accident.
2. Insurance Coverage
Another major concern for businesses is whether or not they are covered. If a client’s injury is severe enough to require a lawsuit, you might have to pay out of pocket.
You can protect yourself by obtaining an insurance quote for your policy and ensuring your clients are covered. You can also ask your lawyer to perform a free risk assessment.
3. Liability
You can be liable for damages if a client is injured in your car. If you don’t have adequate insurance, you’re at risk.
You can prevent this by taking precautions. Make sure your car is insured and that your vehicle is in good condition. Also, ask your clients to sign a waiver before entering your vehicle.
4. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and are often awarded when repeated violations occur. In the case of car accidents, punitive damages can be awarded to a client if your negligence harmed them.
What to do when you are involved in a car accident
It may seem counterintuitive, but an accident can benefit your business. Let’s take a look at how this happened. A client’s employee is involved in a car accident, usually in the middle of the night. They’re driving home from work, and they get into an accident. They need to be taken to the hospital and treated.
How to avoid a car accident in the first place
To prevent a major car accident, you need to think about the risks involved. It’s important to understand that every type of car accident can be dangerous, regardless of the type of vehicle.
Several types of car accidents can hurt your business, including:
• Rear-end collisions
• Single-vehicle accidents
• Trucking accidents
• Pedestrian and cyclist accidents
If you think, “I’ll just stay away from the roads,” that’s a mistake.
Every type of vehicle has its risks. For example, a truck is far more dangerous than a sedan, and a bike is even more dangerous than a car.
Frequently Asked Questions Car Accidents
Q: When a car accident occurs, what’s the worst thing that can happen?
A: If you’re in an accident and it’s serious enough that you are injured, the insurance company might not pay your claim. Then you will have to pay medical bills and lawyer’s fees, and there’s a chance that you won’t even be able to get the same vehicle back if it has been totaled. So my advice is to try to avoid accidents.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about being in a car accident?
A: The biggest misconception is that it doesn’t matter if you’re hurt. I had a friend who got into a car accident and was fine; however, her sister got into an accident and was hospitalized for a week. We need to know what our limits are and what we can do to prevent accidents from happening.
Top 3 Myths About Car Accidents
1. No one can make money out of a car accident.
2. Insurance companies will never pay for medical bills or car repairs
3. Insurance companies will always try to minimize your compensation claim.
Conclusion
As a general rule, a car accident is rarely worth suing. The only exception is if you are severely injured or your injuries prevent you from working. Car accidents are caused by negligence, meaning someone else was responsible for the accident. This may have been due to their failure or a lack of attention. When it comes to injuries, you must seek medical care immediately. It would help if you also sought an attorney to represent you and pursue any compensation you deserve.