Car crashes occur on the road daily, adding up to the statistics of people with disabilities, life-threatening injuries, and sometimes deaths.
If you got injured in a car crash, there are some things you should do immediately following the collision to confirm that you have full compensation for your injuries. Highlighted below are the steps you should take that will protect your rights and help you when you are seeking compensation from the insurance company.
Seek Medical Help Immediately
This is not a hard puzzle, in whatever situation you find yourself in after the accident, survival comes first. If you have been injured because of a car collision, reach out for medical attention with immediate effect. This is not the best time to get yourself worried about medical expenses piling up and just hope the pain goes away.
The more prolonged it takes to get medical help, the more likely the insurance company will deny that you were not hurt because of the accident.
Most times, insurance companies claim that if you did not take an ambulance or if you wait days after the accident to seek medical attention that you were not injured. The insurance company may also argue that you got the injury before the accident. So for you to get the full benefit of your insurance, try to seek immediate medical care after the accident.
Contact An Experienced Attorney
Whenever you get injured in a car accident, one of the first things you should do after seeking medical help is to hire an experienced lawyer to represent you. When you get an attorney, discuss extensively with him or her, and ask the big question; what is my car accident injury claim worth? Given his or her experience, this will give you an idea of what to expect while he or she works to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Your attorney will help you with getting your vehicle repaired, settling your property damage claim, getting money or coverage for a rental car, and others. In fact, if you hire an experienced attorney, there is a possibility of getting 2-3 times more compensation when compared to if you do not get an attorney to represent you.
Put A Call Through To The Law Enforcement And Have A Report Made
This is another important step you should take after you have put a call through for medical attention. Call the police and inform them about your involvement in a car crash. For example, in some states, legally, they expect you to report the accident.
This is important for so many reasons, the police will do a groundwork investigation, interview all parties involved, interview third parties, examine the crime scene, inspect the vehicle and come up with a conclusion as regards who was at fault in the accident.
A comprehensive report from the law enforcement stating who was at fault is the single most persuasive piece of evidence in proving liability. Without this, you put yourself in assumptions and hypothetical situations. Always endeavor to call law enforcement and make a report following an accident.
Give Full Details About Your Injuries
If you sustain injuries following the accident, it is advisable to give in-depth and detailed information about your injuries. Do not hold back, the medical professionals will document your complaints and injuries in their medical records. Be open to your medical provider even with the tiniest detail.
A slight pain in a particular area that you didn’t give the thought to mention could intensify over time and become a serious injury. Do not assume the injury will heal over time, fill your medical provider in, to create a record that preserves your right to receive compensation for the injury later.
Contact The Insurance Company
After the car accident, it is important to contact your insurance company. As much as you might not be at fault, you need to let the insurance company know you were in an accident, in case the other party is uninsured. You will need to pursue your own insurance company for coverage under your uninsured or underinsured motorist policy.
Once you do this, then you are in a direct encounter with your insurance company. You will seek the biggest payout possible while your insurance company will look to pay you the barest amount they can get away with. They do this to maximize their profit and stock prices, so endeavor not to contact the insurance company without seeking the help of an attorney.
Car accidents happen daily, if you get involved in one, it is important to calm your nerves and assess everything with a clear head because how you go through this can make or break your claim.
