A lawyer understands the nuances of insurance laws to help you get the compensation you deserve. They will also handle correspondence with the insurance companies on your behalf to save you time and stress. A skilled car accident attorney will consider your ongoing medical costs and emotional damages to ensure you are fairly compensated. They will also determine if the other party was negligent in the crash.
Call the Police
One of the first things you should do after a crash is call the police. They can make the scene safer by redirecting traffic to prevent additional collisions, and they can help you document evidence of your injuries and losses. In addition, they can interview witnesses and record their statements, which can be invaluable if your case goes to court. Remember, only talk to the police officers about what happened in the crash—anything else could be used against you later on as part of your insurance claim or lawsuit. If you don’t have a police report, your insurance company can only go off your word, and the other driver’s, which can quickly turn into a he said/she said case without hard evidence to back you up.
Exchange Information
It’s important to remember that you should only exchange information with the negligent party after a crash when it is safe for you to do so. Leaving the scene without obtaining any necessary information may make it impossible to recover damages for your injuries and property damage. Obtain the other driver’s name, insurance policy details, and license plate number. You can even take a photo of their driver’s license, which could help your case later if they try to lie. Suppose you’re unable to exchange this information due to your injury. In that case, Berry Law car accident attorneys can use other tactics, such as uncovering security camera footage and interviewing eyewitnesses, to illuminate a responsible party. This could allow you to file a successful lawsuit for compensatory damages.
Take Pictures
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your case is to take pictures of the scene, as long as it is safe. This will help prevent your car accident claim from becoming a “he-said, she-said” dispute. Taking multiple photos of the scene from different angles and distances is essential. You should also take photos with and without a flash, as the lighting can sometimes change how something looks. It is also a good idea to capture images of any skid marks that may be present, as well as nearby traffic signs and lights. In addition, take close-up and wide-angle shots of the vehicle damage and any other relevant aspects of the accident scene. Document any injuries you sustained as well.
Contact Your Insurance Company
It is essential to notify your insurance company of the accident. Your car insurance policy requires you to do so to be covered by your insurance for things like injuries and property damage. Once you contact the insurance company, their representatives will likely want to speak with you. However, it would help if you never spoke with an insurance adjuster without the guidance of an attorney. They aim to find anything they can use against you in the claim process, including that your injuries are minor or not even real. Your attorney can handle these conversations to ensure your rights are protected. They may also contact the other driver’s insurance company to investigate the crash and collect more evidence on your behalf.
Hire an Attorney
Your car accident attorney is your ally in navigating through complex legal procedures and negotiations with insurance companies while offering guidance regarding any applicable statutes of limitation that might impede or preclude recovery of compensation for injuries sustained in an accident. A qualified car accident attorney will carefully consider all aspects of your case to establish liability and calculate damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, and non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. They should know how to assess insurance company offers before taking aggressive legal action if necessary – look for one with contingency fee agreements who offers free case evaluation.