More and more tourists will be on the streets as the weather becomes hotter. There is a higher chance of out-of-state auto accidents when many people are travelling by car. In the other scenario, you might be the one going from South Carolina to another state and be concerned about what would happen if you got into an accident there.
How does a car accident outside of your state affect your insurance claim? Is it simpler for an insurance company to refuse to pay you? Where do you file a lawsuit against the negligent motorist if you are involved in an out-of-state vehicle accident? These are all valid inquiries.
Your best option if you were hurt in an out-of-state collision is to consult with a knowledgeable Fort Wayne car accident attorney about the next course of action.
What Is an Interstate Automobile Accident?
A car accident that occurred outside of the state where the accident occurred is one in which one of the drivers was not a resident of that state.
An out-of-state accident claim could be made, for instance, by a South Carolina citizen hurt while travelling through Georgia or North Carolina.
Following a car collision out of state, you should take the same precautions you would have taken at home:
- An ambulance should be requested along with the police.
- You and the other driver should trade names, numbers for contact, licence numbers, and insurance information.
- No matter how you feel, make an appointment with a doctor within a day. Even mild symptoms may not appear right away in some severe injuries, including head injuries that could be fatal.
- Declare the collision to your insurance provider.
State negligence laws
When it comes to bringing a lawsuit after a car accident, some states are more restrictive than others. A state that uses modified comparative negligence is South Carolina, for instance. This means that if a plaintiff is judged to be at least 51% at blame for an accident, they cannot be awarded damages. Additionally, Georgia uses a comparative negligence standard to determine culpability. The contributory negligence theory, which is more strictly applied in North Carolina and Virginia, prohibits the plaintiff from receiving any compensation if they in any way contributed to the accident. When choosing where to bring a case, it can be useful to go through those factors with an experienced lawyer.
