Car accidents are always stressful, regardless of whether they are minor or not. If you were actually injured in the accident, not only will it take time to recover, but the medical bills seem to keep piling up on top of the car repair bills, so it’s only natural that you want to be adequately compensated for your problems. As if dealing with your injuries wasn’t enough, you need to know what you can do to make the most of this situation. The following are 4 things to do after an accident.
1. Get medical assistance as soon as possible
In situations like this, people tend to call an ambulance only if they are seriously injured or if they feel they might be. However, according to experienced personal injury attorneys from https://braunslaw.com/reports/, it is vital that you receive medical treatment even if you feel that you were not seriously injured. When you tell your doctor exactly how you feel, if you experience aches or pains here and there, you can determine what kinds of injuries you have sustained as a result. Not only is it the best thing you can do for your health, you can be in shock at times and not realize the extent of your injuries until much later, but it can also help establish that you have a strong claim. Regardless of which course of action the doctor decides, whether it’s to do an MRI or just give you a few points, be sure to get copies of everything. Those documents will be incredibly valuable in making your claim, and insurance companies may not be willing to consider your injuries unless they are well documented.
2. Less is more
When you speak with the insurance agent, it is important that you keep them informed about what happened and the severity of your injuries. That said, it is always better say less more than. Unfortunately, many insurance companies will try to focus on the small, irrelevant details that you have mentioned, even if they don’t make a difference in terms of the accident itself. And while they may seem like innocent comments at the time, when you’re trying to file a strong personal injury claim, they will always get mentioned and can hurt your chances of winning. The best thing to do is make sure you answer as honestly as possible, while sticking only to the important things. Any additional details are irrelevant to what your goal is, and may be lost later. As long as you tell them what you know, and nothing else, it can only work to your advantage.
3. Photographs and documentation
If you use your car on a daily basis, you may be inclined to get it to the shop as soon as possible. However, you should not do this until you have taken many photos of damages caused after the accident. They can serve as evidence later when you make the claim. In fact, you should keep all the documentation related to what happened. These may include:
- Photos of the accident scene itself and any evidence found there. This includes photos of your own car, the car that hit you, and your own injuries prior to receiving treatment. There will probably be an officer taking photos as well, but it’s always best to have one of your own to show when the time comes, in case you miss something.
- Copies of all documents you received from doctors, hospitals, or medical centers. This includes X-rays and MRIs, as well as drug or treatment bills.
- Auto repair bills, if you fix your car.
- Copy of the police report.
- A receipt or any type of documentation of all other expenses that you have had to pay due to the accident.
Simply put, if you’re wondering whether to keep something or not, stick with it. It could prove valuable later as your case develops.
4. Defend your position
The insurance company is likely to want to impose a less than adequate settlement on you. That’s the nature of most companies: They want to save money where they can. However, don’t let them intimidate you into accepting it. All you need to do is stand your ground and tell them that you will first consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before making any decisions (make sure you have a good one in mind). That’s all you need to do – they’re not going to let the matter fade, but once you’ve given them that ultimatum, you can give it a break. Rather than agree to whatever is being thrown at you for a clearance offer, you will have time to make sure it is really worth it. It might be a good idea to follow through on what you said and hire a lawyer. Even if you don’t want them to take over the case entirely, they may be able to consult with you on how to deal with the insurance company for a much better deal than what was originally offered.
While there are other steps you can take to strengthen your personal injury claim, these 4 things are the most important. If you’ve been in a car accident and injured, do it! The sooner you fulfill them, the better off you will be. And at the very least, it will give you peace of mind that you are doing everything you can to get the compensation you deserve.
www.stephilareine.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism