After a car accident involving injury, take the proper steps to protect your legal rights and ensure you get the best outcome possible. While dealing with a car accident is never easy, it can be even more overwhelming if you or a loved one sustains injuries.
Taking the proper steps after a car accident injury with the help of a car accident lawyer can make all the difference in how quickly you recover and how much compensation you can secure. Knowing what to do after a car accident will protect yourself and your family and get you the compensation you deserve.
Document the Accident Scene
Documenting the scene of a car accident can prove to be an invaluable resource in your personal injury claim. Photographs are a useful way to record the details of the incident. This can include the damage to the cars and people involved, as well as the weather and road conditions.
Take Photographs
It is essential to take photographs of the accident scene and any injuries sustained. This will provide evidence for your insurance company and potentially for any legal proceedings.
To document the scene:
- Take pictures of all the vehicles involved, including their relative positions. Try to capture the whole scene in one shot, including any debris or signs in the area.
- Take a few close-up shots of any damage done to the vehicles.
- Take close-up photos of any visible injuries you may have sustained, such as cuts, bruises, scrapes, or burns. This documentation can be critical in proving your claim for any injury-related losses.
Be sure to document the conditions that contributed to the crash. These can be useful in proving the fault of the driver. Another good idea is to photograph the license plates of the vehicles that were in the accident. The photographs can help law enforcement identify the other driver. Taking pictures of traffic signals and other signs can also show the accident scene.
File a Police Report
No matter the severity of the car accident, it’s essential to call the police. It’s important to let the police collect information from the other driver instead of trying to do so yourself. If you start talking to the other driver, something you say could be taken out of context and used against you in court. Additionally, speaking to the other driver could be misconstrued as witness intimidation or threatening a victim, even if that was not your intention.
Letting the police handle collecting information from the other driver is the safest way to make sure that all the facts are correctly compiled and can be used in court, if necessary. Having a police report can be beneficial when it comes to insurance claims and any legal proceedings.
When you file a police report, you need not discuss what happened. If asked to give a statement, stick to the facts, such as what time and where the accident occurred. Do not explain yourself, make excuses, or assign blame. When in doubt, say as little as possible. The police report should include details about any property damage and injuries resulting from the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
You must seek medical attention immediately if you sustained injuries in a car accident. After being in a car accident, you may not think getting medical help as soon as possible is vital. You may feel fine, or the injuries may not appear. However, you should still seek immediate medical attention to ensure that any internal or invisible injuries do not worsen with time. This prevents further complications and gives you the best chance of recovery.
Additionally, getting medical care after an accident will protect you and your legal rights. While you may want to wait until you have free time, if you delay treatment, the insurance company may deny your claim or claim that the accident did not injure you.
Keep a Record of Any Medical Expenses
You must also inform the medical team that your injuries resulted from a car accident. This is critical for future medical records and legal proceedings. Make sure to keep all medical documents related to the accident.
Follow up with your doctor. Document your injury, pain, and symptoms. A diary can help you do this. The information you record will help you remember how your body felt and the medication you took.
In addition, your doctor can provide you with a treatment plan. Your doctor should advise you on rest, medications, and physical therapy. You should also have X-rays and internal medical examinations for a full evaluation. These examinations can reveal serious injuries that your adrenaline has covered up. The human eye cannot see serious injuries like internal bleeding.
Get X-rays, MRIs, Scans, and Other Tests
If you have suffered a personal injury in a car accident, getting x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), scans, and other tests is vital to determine what is causing your injuries. These tests are quick, painless, and inexpensive. They provide an accurate picture of your body’s internal structure. You can expect the results within a few days.
While there are several types of diagnostic imaging, three common ones are X-ray, CT scan, and MRI. All of these tests can help evaluate injuries. Each of these tests can help you better understand what you are experiencing and what your doctor can do to treat the symptoms.
X-rays can help doctors evaluate bones, soft tissue, and internal organs. Using electromagnetic waves and a dye, X-rays can produce images of the bones, ligaments, and muscles. This test can help detect the presence of large fluid build-up due to blood clots and diagnose tumors.
CT scans, or CAT scans, are commonly performed to assess internal bleeding and organ trauma. The test can be faster and more affordable than MRIs.
MRIs are a more advanced test that can provide a more detailed image of your brain and other internal systems. Unlike X-rays, MRIs use powerful magnets to generate detailed pictures. You can do any of these tests in an outpatient setting.
Do Not Discuss the Accident
If you are involved in a car accident resulting in an injury, and you apologize, the other party could use that against you in a court of law. Even if you believe that the accident was your fault, don’t apologize. Instead, stay calm and focus on collecting evidence and getting help for any injuries you or other parties may have sustained. Leave any discussions with the police, insurance companies, or anyone else to your attorney.
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident with injury, it is essential to remember that you should never give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. This is because the insurance company’s only goal is to limit their financial liability, and they may try to use any statement you make against you in negotiations or court.
Do Not Apologize
One of the worst things you can do after a car accident with injury apologizes. Even if you think you may have been partially at fault for the accident, apologizing could be seen as an admission of guilt. People often apologize out of instinct when something goes wrong, even if they aren’t responsible. This can be especially true following a car accident with an injury.
It is important to remember that while an insurance company may seem friendly and helpful, they are not on your side, and they can use any statement you give against you later.
Additionally, they may pressure you into making a statement before you fully know the facts or have had a chance to talk to an attorney. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, you should politely decline to answer any questions and explain that you will provide a statement through your attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney can ensure that your rights are fully protected and advise you on whether to make a statement.
Notify Your Health Insurance Provider
Notifying your health insurance company and your employer if you have been in a car accident is essential. You need to inform your health insurance company that you were in an accident, as this will allow them to begin the claim and cover your medical costs.
If Needed, Notify Your Employer
It is also vital to let your employer know about the accident if it occurred during work hours while driving to or from a work site, on company property, or in a company vehicle. This is necessary so that your employer can provide critical legal protection and begin the claims process if they are responsible for the accident. In either case, give all the necessary documents and information to start the process.
Keep Track of Expenses
It is critical to keep track of all medical expenses related to your accident injury and any additional costs you incur during your recovery. This includes visits to the doctor, physical therapy, medications, and transportation costs for medical appointments.
Additionally, even if you are feeling fine after your accident, it is crucial to continue seeing a doctor for follow-up visits. A doctor can monitor your condition and detect potential problems that might arise from your injury. By monitoring your health closely and ensuring that they record any changes in your medical condition, you can ensure that you are taking the proper steps to recover successfully.
If you need to take time off work due to your injury, speak with an employment lawyer who can help guide you through applying for disability or workers’ compensation benefits. Make sure to document and keep everything related to your injury in a folder or box including pictures of the accident scene, repair bills, rental car fees, witness contact information, and more.
You Need Legal Representation After a Car Accident Injury
Getting an attorney is essential if you’ve been in a car accident. Not only can an attorney guide you through the legal process, but they can also negotiate with your insurer to ensure you receive the compensation you need.
Often, insurance companies will take advantage of car accident victims. They may deny the claim, reduce the settlement’s value, or twist the story to blame the victim. An experienced law firm can make all the difference in your case. They’ll be able to investigate your case and use forensic experts to establish fault.
After a car accident with injury, hire a personal injury lawyer to protect yourself and your rights. With the right legal representation, you can recover the compensation you deserve.
Why Hire a Local Attorney?
After a car accident, find the right local car accident attorney.
In this situation, seek help from someone who knows and understands the laws of your state and the courts and people in your community. Hiring a local attorney will ensure you receive the highest quality representation and assistance during a difficult and stressful time. They can also provide valuable advice on what to do after a car accident injury.
How to Find the Right Attorney
Finding the right local attorney to handle your personal injury claim after a car accident with injury is critical. When searching for a lawyer after an injury from a car accident, you should look at reviews and years of experience, but remember that having good reviews and experience in one area doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best attorney for your case.
You need a personal injury attorney that has experience in car accident claims. The most substantial step in finding the right local attorney is researching potential lawyers’ qualifications and credentials. This includes looking into their areas of expertise, understanding their litigation history, and reading client reviews.
Ask potential lawyers about their experience handling cases similar to yours and any specific questions you may have.
Finding a local attorney who knows the state laws related to your case can make all the difference in a successful outcome. This is especially true if multiple parties are involved in the accident, as local attorneys will know any applicable laws that could affect your case.
Additionally, local attorneys may know about any recent changes in state law that could influence your claim.
When researching for the right local attorney to represent you after a car accident with injury, make sure they have the necessary knowledge and expertise to handle your case. This can get the best possible outcome from your car accident lawsuit.
Questions to Ask When Interviewing Potential Lawyers
When looking for a local attorney after an injury from a car accident, it is vital to ask the right questions to ensure you find the right lawyer for your case.
Some questions to consider asking include:
- What experience do you have with cases like mine?
- What is your success rate with cases similar to mine?
- How long have you been practicing in this area?
- Are there any other services that I may need?
A car accident injury can be a traumatic experience. However, knowing what not to do following the accident can protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. After an accident, speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible so you can pursue the compensation you need.