Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Car accident lawyers work with insurance companies in order to secure compensation for damages and losses. They can also assist you to discover other options for compensation like uninsured motorist insurance.
If you have been in a car crash it is imperative to follow these steps: Prioritize your safety by calling 911. Check for injuries and record the scene. Exchange contact information and insurance policy numbers with other parties and get witness statements.
Don't Admit Fault
If you admit fault even a small percentage of it, to an insurance company, it could tarnish your car accident case. Your insurer could alter your words to deny the claim, or reduce the amount of your settlement or claim that your injuries were not caused by the crash. Always consider your security and seek medical treatment after a crash before giving any information to anyone else than the police or doctors.
When police arrive at the scene of a crash They will ask you questions regarding how the accident happened and examine the damages to your vehicle and the other driver's vehicle. You must answer these questions in a professional manner and only provide information that relate to the manner in which the accident occurred. Do not attempt to explain what you think caused the accident or make any assertions that could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
After a car crash is reported, you must contact authorities to request an official police report or report on the crash of your vehicle. This will help document the incident and permit an investigation to determine the factors that led to the accident. It is also essential to exchange information with all parties involved including their names address, telephone number, address, insurance policy number, license plate number and insurance information. Take photos of any injuries you may have or the scene of an accident, as well as any damage to your vehicle or any other vehicles.
The no-fault insurance policy covers your financial loss, such as medical expenses and lost wages of up to $50,000 per individual. However, it doesn't pay for non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain that's why it's crucial to speak with an attorney whenever you can.
An attorney can assist you learn about the limitations and coverage of no-fault insurance, so that you can receive compensation for your losses. They can also tell you if the person at fault may be liable for the non-economic damages you suffered if the extent of your injuries is greater than the state's serious injury threshold.
Do not speak to your insurance company.
Following a car accident, you may be contacted by the other driver's insurance company. No matter if they're being nice or not they are looking for anything they can use to deny or diminish your claim. They will try to convince you to admit fault or to make a statement that will give them an excuse to blame you for the crash.
In addition, they'll ask you to sign an unwritten statement. Lawyers usually review these to see if there are any contradictions. They may then make use of these against you in trial. You may not be aware that you've said something that could hurt your case until the insurance company starts investigating your previous statements.
You should not contact the insurance company before consulting with your lawyer. Even if you think that the other driver was at fault Let your lawyer handle the conversation with the insurance company. This will ensure that your rights are protected.
Avoid discussing the incident with anyone else. This includes family, friends members, and coworkers. It is very easy for someone to make a mistake and say something that can hurt your case. Even if the information they share isn't directly related to the crash, it can hurt your credibility and weaken your case.
If you have to speak to someone, make sure you give the insurance company the information they require. Include the names, contact information and the insurance policy numbers of all witnesses to the incident. In addition, you must not discuss your injuries with them. This is not only untrue but could also cause more harm to your health.
It is important that you consult a doctor right away when you've been injured in a car accident. This will not only ensure your injuries are properly documented as well, but assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation for the damages you sustained. This includes the possibility of future medical expenses as well as pain and suffering and reduced quality of life. Our experienced attorneys will examine your case to determine what types of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
When you're hurt in a crash, the last thing you want to think about on your mind is running insurance companies and filling out forms. When you go to the doctor and start feeling some aches and pains it's easy to be distracted by the endless paperwork and forms being offered to you from company representatives and insurance adjusters.
These papers often ask you to sign an authorization release that allows them access to your medical records for the duration of your life. This gives them access to your personal information before doctors can determine the extent of your injuries. They might also attempt to claim that the symptoms you are experiencing are not due to the accident.
An experienced injury lawyer will carefully review any documents that the insurance company sends you and ensure that they're complete and accurate. They can determine if they're valid and how they could impact your case. In many cases, insurance companies offer you an instant settlement and you'll be enticed to accept it.
If you hire a good attorney for a car accident, they will handle all communication with the insurance company. They will also ensure that you don't sign anything that may harm your case. YouTube will then fight to get you the most compensation for your losses and injuries.
It is also recommended to not give an oral or written statement to the insurance company, because they are trained to get you say something that could be used against you. They will twist your words and use them to lower the value of your claim, or even deny it altogether.
In some instances the insurance company may try to entice you into admitting fault or reducing the value of your losses by telling you that you haven't disclosed all of your expenses, which is a violation of the law. It is best to speak with an attorney right away following a collision so that they can manage all communications with the insurance company and protect your rights.
Do not take pictures
It can be difficult to remember all the details of an accident. It's important to take pictures using your phone to capture every detail you observe. You don't need a professional camera to capture photos of the scene, and you can even time stamp your pictures to stop the other party from trying to argue that damage occurred following the collision.
Photograph the vehicles involved from different angles. This will allow your accident attorney to prove the position of every vehicle when the accident occurred, and the severity of damages. If you can take photos of the vehicles from outside, the inside, front, and side. Be sure to take pictures of any visible injuries you or your passengers might have sustained.
Ask for the names and contact details of any witnesses you may meet. If your case goes to court, you will need their testimony. It's not common for the other defense lawyer of the driver to claim that a witness did not see the crash, so it's essential to have their contact details on the file.
Don't share details of an accident on social media. This is because the other party and their insurance company can make use of it to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim, or that they weren't responsible for the accident.