Car Accident Basics
Car accidents happen, and they are often quite dangerous. Further, the majority of serious traffic accidents are caused by driver negligence. If another motorist’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident, your claim is unique to the circumstances involved, but there are car accident basics that apply across the board.
Your First Steps
The first steps you should take after being involved in a car accident are the same for everyone, and they include (as applicable):
- Move your car safely out of the path of traffic (to the best of your ability)
- Call 911
- Render aid to anyone who has been injured (if you are able to do so)
- Seek medical attention as soon as it is possible for you to do so
- Gather evidence at the accident scene, including pictures, videos, and eyewitness accounts (along with contact information) – to the extent you are able
- Don’t say more than is necessary at the scene (stick to succinctly and truthfully responding to any questions put to you by an attending officer)
Seeking Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention is so important to your physical recovery and to your car accident claim that it warrants a closer look. The impact of even a relatively minor car accident can leave you seriously injured, and the stress and shock of the accident can mask the pain and/or other symptoms. Further, some serious injuries do not present with symptoms until they become even more dangerous and difficult to treat effectively. Seeking medical attention is paramount, and so is carefully following your doctor’s instructions. If you don’t take your car accident injuries seriously, the insurance company will be happy to follow your lead.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Your claims process will hinge on negotiations with the insurance company involved, but this is not a job for you. In fact, you are not required to make a statement to the insurance company, and you are far better off if you do not. The insurance company involved with your claim has many tools in its kit for keeping your settlement as low as possible, including:
- Denying your claim from the outset (in the hope of getting rid of you)
- Offering an early settlement that does not come close to covering your damages in their entirety (but before you are aware of this fact)
- Prolonging and/or complicating the claims process (in the hope you will give up)
- Denying the extent of your damages
- Attempting to push fault toward you and away from their client
Insurance companies are profit-driven, and they are skilled at minimizing the settlements of car accident victims like you. Your experienced car accident attorney, however, is similarly skilled at successfully countering these measures.
Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer
A seasoned personal injury attorney will perform key tasks throughout the personal injury claim process, including gathering evidence, calculating your damages, managing documentation and paperwork, and representing you in court, if needed.
Look for the following kinds of attributes as you look for the right personal injury attorney for you:
- Considerable experience with personal injury law
- A caseload that allows him or her to dedicate sufficient time to your case
- Clear communication skills
- Willing to fight for you and your recovery
If your current personal injury attorney cannot do all of these things for your case, it may be a good idea to consider switching personal injury attorneys.
The right personal injury attorney can make all the difference in your case, so it’s worth taking time to make this important decision.