Talking to a car accident attorney can significantly boost your chances of obtaining fair compensation for injuries and damages caused after a motor vehicle accident.
A lawyer does more than just fight to protect your legal rights. He or she will gather and evaluate all available information and then advise you on how to avoid blunders that could possibly harm your case.
Here are the dos and don’ts of car accident claims:
REPORT THE ACCIDENT IMMEDIATELY
You should report the accident to the correct authorities as soon as possible. In most cases, the police will respond to the accident almost instantly. However, if the law enforcers do not come in time, you have to self-report by calling 911 immediately. Avoid exchanging information with other drivers involved unless you are asked to do so by the emergency operator.
DO NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY NO MATTER WHAT
Using apologetic words such as “sorry” or showing remorse could mean that you are accepting liability for the accident even if you not at fault. This can greatly reduce your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injury claims. Considering this, you shouldn’t accept liability for the accident. Instead, talk to your lawyer for advice.
DOCUMENT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT
You should document the scene of the accident by taking photographs and making a video that shows the damage to your vehicle, position of the vehicles, skid marks, and traffic signs. If there were witnesses at the scene, request politely for their full names, phone numbers, and addresses.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY
You should seek urgent medical attention even if you do not have any visible signs of injury. Some injuries could be internal, and they could degenerate into severe health problems if you fail to go to hospital. Then again, delays in seeking medical attention could hurt your personal injury case.
DO NOT DISCUSS THE ACCIDENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Posting photos and writing comments about the accident might seem harmless at first, but they could greatly weaken your personal injury case. The opposing lawyer or the insurance company may access your social media timeline and use whatever you post as evidence against you.
DO NOT RECORD A STATEMENT WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY
Some insurance claims adjusters may use sly methods to trick you into recording a statement with them. Whatever you say in your statement can work against you and reduce your rightful compensation drastically. You should talk to a car accident attorney first before committing to record a statement.
DO NOT APPROVE RELEASE OF YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS
Never sign a medical records release form if you have a pending personal injury case in court. The insurance company may use crafty methods to access your entire medical history and use whatever they get to evade paying full compensation.
KEEP COPIES OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE CRASH
Providing strong evidence is crucial to increasing your chances of receiving full compensation. With this in mind, you should keep copies of all documents related to the crash. These include medical bills, receipts, vehicle repair, and all other documents indicating your expenses related to the accident.
FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS ADVICE
Failure to follow medical advice could be detrimental to your case. Considering this, do not skip any doctor’s appointments and follow your treatment plan without fail.
CONTACT A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY
Enlisting the services of an experienced car accident attorney will not only even the playing field but also ensure you receive your rightful compensation as soon as possible.
If you are searching for an experienced car accident attorney, look no further. We can help you enhance your chances of receiving your full compensation. Talk to us and take advantage of our free consultation. We shall be glad to assist and answer all your queries.
