You`ve been in a car accident. Nothing good ever starts with those words, but after the initial shock and pain have subsided, you may be left wondering what your next steps are. You`re hurt and you want to be compensated for your injuries. But, how do you go about doing that? What steps do you take? How much should you expect to get paid.
These are all questions that many people have after an accident. Getting compensation after a car accident is no easy task. There are many hoops to jump through depending on the details of your case.
It can be frustrating and exhausting, especially when dealing with medical bills or time off work. In this article, we will answer those questions as well as provide tips on getting the compensation you deserve from your insurer or from the other driver`s insurance company.
See a Doctor Right After The Accident Or Soon After
This seems like an obvious one, but you wouldn`t believe how many people don`t go to the doctor after getting into an accident. Instead of assessing your injuries immediately, they wait several days or even weeks before seeing a doctor. If you want to get compensation for your injuries (especially if it is more than minor), you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. And, if you can`t afford or don`t want to pay for your own medical treatment, make sure you go and visit the hospital right after the accident (assuming you aren`t seriously injured). They will provide free medical treatment and they may even offer free legal representation to help you get compensated for your injuries.
Speak With an Injury Lawyer
This may be the most important step in your case for several reasons. First of all, you want to speak with someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to personal injury cases. After getting into an accident, you need to take steps right away that can help get your life back on track. A good accident lawyer from https://www.thecallahanlawfirm.com/ will start working on your case right away, gather information for you, try to get in contact with the other driver`s insurance company, and conduct an investigation into the accident. If they are able to gather enough information that proves you are entitled to compensation, they will take the steps necessary to get it for you.
The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner they can get started on the case and the better your chances of getting paid for your injuries. Most lawyers offer free consultations so you can go in and discuss your situation with them to see if they think you have a good case. If they do, then you can sign an agreement with them and hire them as your legal counsel.
Gather Information
This step is particularly important if you were injured in the accident or the police are investigating the case. If that`s the case, then an official report should have been filled out at that time by either a law enforcement officer or a witness to the accident. It will contain all the details of what happened and it may be useful later on down the road if you decide to take legal action against the other driver.
If the police were not called and there is no official report, you may want to visit the scene of the accident and look for evidence. Take pictures of your injuries, take photos of the location of the accident and take any witness names and contact information you can find. Knowing as many details as possible about the accident will help your defense and will help build a solid case. You should also take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and any damage that was done to vehicles or property.
File a Claim
After getting the medical treatment you need and finding a good lawyer to represent you, it`s time to file a claim. If the other driver was at fault for the accident, then he or she will be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and other damages. The other driver`s insurance company should contact you by mail (if they haven`t already) with information on how to file a claim. It should include the forms you need to fill out and the other driver`s contact information (so you can get in touch with them to discuss settling your case). Take your time when filling out the paperwork, make sure it`s accurate, and submit it to the insurance company before the deadline given.
Getting paid for your injuries isn`t easy, but it is possible. If you are able to get in touch with a lawyer soon after your accident, then they should be able to help you take the steps necessary to get compensated for any damages done. And even if you are unable to find a good lawyer, you can still file the necessary claims with your insurance provider and try to work things out yourself. If you take all the steps that are mentioned above, then hopefully you will get the compensation you deserve for being involved in an accident.