If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, you are probably wondering what the best way to proceed will be. Immediately following an auto accident in Philadelphia, your safety and the safety of your passengers is critical. Below are some additional steps to take immediately following a car accident.
Information Gathering
It is critical to gather certain information while you’re still at the scene of the accident, including the name and contact information for the following:
- The other driver
- The other driver’s insurance company
- Any witnesses to the accident, and
- Any law enforcement officers the come to the scene
While it is likely that the other driver may have caused the accident, you will usually be dealing with the insurance company instead of the dealing directly with the other driver. This makes it even more important to have an experienced auto accident attorney advocating for you.
Take Pictures
Taking photographs while you are still at the accident scene is very important, especially now that technology is widely available, and most people carry cell phones with camera capabilities. While you are at the accident scene, take pictures of the following:
- The locations of the vehicles
- Areas of physical damage on each vehicle
- The license plates of each vehicle.
Remember, the insurance company is NOT on your side. They are in the business of making money, and that happens when it pays out less money to you on a claim than it otherwise has to. The insurance company tries to accomplish this by arguing:
- The accident was completely or partially your fault.
- You should only be paid a reduced amount on your claim.
- You haven’t provided sufficient documentation to support your claims of loss.
As a general rule, the more information and documentation you provide to the insurance company, the more likely you are to receive fair compensation from the insurance company for all of your damages. Remember, the insurance company is not required to reach a settlement agreement with you.
How Much Will I Get For Damages?
If you are making a claim for property damage you may be entitled to some of the following damages:
- Vehicle damage
- Personal property damage
- Car rental
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The insurance company will extend a settlement offer to you based on the information and documentation you provide. Generally, the insurance company will enter a settlement agreement only if it’s the company’s best interests to do so. However, on the whole, the insurance company knows that settling a claim IS in its best interests.
How Much Will I Get If I Am Injured?
First, and most importantly, sometimes the symptoms of injuries don’t appear until weeks, even months, after a car accident. So even if you feel ok after a car accident, seek medication attention as soon as possible. Another reason why this is important is if you enter into a quick settlement with the insurance company, and then find out that you need more medical treatment for your injuries, you cannot go back to the insurance company and ask for additional compensation. You may very well be entitled to reimbursement of medical expenses or lost wages. You may also claim compensation for your mental and physical pain and suffering stemming from the accident.
Contact The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers
Because some car accidents can result in serious injuries and exceed the normal “fender bender” many people may experience, the legal issues involved can become much more complicated. Representing individuals involved in car accidents requires a team of aggressive investigators and lawyers all devoting their maximum effort to their clients.
At The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, our Pennsylvania and New Jersey personal injury attorneys investigate every claim so that we may aggressively and zealously represent our clients and obtain the best possible results.
If you have suffered injury in a Philadelphia auto accident, your main concern should always be on your physical and mental recovery and you should not have to constantly worry about your legal case. For this reason, we make certain to regularly communicate with clients and will keep you up to date on any new developments in your case. We provide careful attention to each individual auto accident case and will always zealously advocate on your behalf. If you have suffered injury, please do not hesitate to call 877-825-8542 to schedule a free consultation with the experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today.
Sources:
- http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/auto-accident/tips-protect-legal-claim-after-car-accident.html
- http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/resolving-car-accident-claim
- http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/personal-injury/calculator.html
- http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/auto-accident/settling-car-accident-case.html
- http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/tips-settling-car-accident-claim.html