If you have been in an unfortunate car accident and sustained injuries, you will be undergoing a lot of trauma. However, it would help if you thought about the compensation as the accident was not due to your negligence.
The first thing to do is hire the right personal injury attorney who will help you get the best compensation under the circumstances.
You are probably rendered immobile, and to make matters worse, you have temporarily lost your livelihood. A seasoned attorney will help you fight your case and make sure you get suitably compensated for your injuries and lost wages.
The Good News
The good news is that the party at fault does not pay the settlement (for your compensation). It is the responsibility of their insurance company to pay damages.
You need to be patient and persistent, and your attorney will stay by your side until you get paid. It is not easy to get a settlement for a car crash claim without litigation. Expert law firms will depute an excellent personal injury attorney who is used to handling such cases and knows how to help you get a reasonable sum that will cover all costs.
The Importance of Documenting
The key to a successful claim settlement lies in documenting the scene accurately. Although getting medical attention is your priority, you need to spend a minimum amount of time quickly documenting the vital things at the accident scene, depending on the injuries’ gravity. It helps in getting a speedy settlement.
Try talking to witnesses, and if anyone is around, get contact information like phone numbers and addresses. Also, casually inquire whether they are willing to make supportive statements (verbal or written). Try to capture everything they saw, encourage them to refresh their memory, and jot down every bit of information.
Next, you should call 911 as the police’s arrival at the scene adds strength to your stand, and the police report is often in favor of the victims. Don’t waste even a minute before calling the police. It is not in the opposite party’s interest as they will often try to wiggle out of the situation. If the accident-causing individual is also severely injured, the priority is medical attention. However, this does not let them get away without paying for damages.
Seeking Medical Attention
Your mind will be confused for the first few minutes after the accident. Soon after you get your bearings, check for critical injuries and seek medical help immediately. While being treated, remember to save treatment records as they are the best evidence to help get an early settlement.
Don’t forget to save the doctor’s notes, copies of medical bills, and test reports. Whether you need to deal with your no-fault insurer or with the at-fault insurance company, medical records help get a speedy settlement.
Repair Estimates for Damages
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries and your condition at that time, you need to assess the damage to your car and any personal property you were carrying in it (laptop, mobile phone, etc.) and prepare a rough estimate. Although the insurance adjusters will insist on carrying out their inspection and prepare a report based on that, your reports will certainly come in handy. If you can’t handle this task, hire a personal injury attorney.
Remain Calm and Composed
Although you experience a sense of urgency, you need to remain calm and composed. The insurance people keep witnessing such occurrences day in and day out. Hence, your claim need not be as important to them as it is to you.
Moreover, it is not easy to deal with insurance professionals trained to browbeat you into admitting and agreeing to things in their favor. Staying calm and holding your fort will help you claim and receive whatever is due to you.
Summing it Up
Anyone who’s been in a car accident is unhappy. Despite the unpleasantness it causes, a car accident leaves you helpless and vulnerable. You need to know your rights and get in touch with the right people to ensure that you get a decent settlement that covers all costs.
