Do you know the steps that you should take after you’re in a car accident or whether or not you should reach out to a car accident attorney? We have the answers for you.
Being in a car accident can change your life in an instant. It is not an exaggeration to say that many people never fully return to the same lives they led before a severe car accident that caused injuries. While not all collision events are so serious, many are — and they can leave you saddled with medical debt, a long road to recovery, and mounting bills caused by an inability to return to work.
How can you be prepared to know what to do if you’re in a serious accident? Preparing to make a claim begins almost immediately after the event occurs — and what you do could influence the outcome. Here are our six best tips for ensuring you can get the most out of your case.
1. Get Evidence While the Scene is Fresh
Always try to document the scene of the accident if you can. Some people choose to ask witnesses or bystanders with a cell phone to take photos of the accident scene for them. Showcasing what occurred and the positioning of the vehicles could be critical to helping establish the other driver’s negligence in the future.
2. Don’t Leave the Police Out of the Matter
Always call the authorities when you’ve been involved in an accident. Politely decline offers by the other driver to “just work it out” or to “just exchange information.” A police report is often a vital piece of evidence later, as it is an ostensibly neutral point of view and a gathering of facts about the accident.
Related post: 6 Common Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident
3. Seek Documentable Treatment for Any Injuries
When you’ve experienced injuries, report to a hospital or your personal doctor for assistance. In some cases, you may not have a choice, such as when your injuries were severe enough to require transportation by ambulance. The records of the medical treatment you received, not only the bills, will also be important for showcasing the extent of the damage caused by the other driver’s negligence.
4. Stay Off Social Media For the Foreseeable Future
A major mistake many people make after an accident is posting about it publicly online. This publicity could comprise statements about the accident, photos of yourself out at restaurants or with friends, or anything else that opposing counsel could use to call the severity of your injuries into question. Don’t provide the other side with ammunition to knock down your case.
5. Don’t Let Insurers Bully You
The other driver’s insurance companies might come knocking soon after your accident wanting to discuss the details of the collision or asking you to sign paperwork. You should politely decline when possible and direct such inquiries to an attorney, as you may not know what you’re signing.
6. Speak to an Attorney About the Facts of Your Case
Now is the time to take the final step of choosing a law firm to handle your case. You should work with a personal injury attorney that understands the law in your state and has a strong local presence. Firms with attorneys that have hands-on knowledge of this process are essential.
Finding Help with HHJ Trial Attorneys Today
Seeking financial compensation for the negligence that led to your accident is your opportunity to offset medical costs and provide some comfort as you go towards recovery. At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we offer our clients a service founded on a fundamental respect for the difficulty of your experience. From aggressive settlement negotiations to thorough trial preparation, we are always prepared to pursue the best outcome for your case.
Learn more when you call or visit our offices today.
Testimonial from Stephen, Client
Adam Hepburn and HHJ Trial Attorneys are very professional and compassionate in a time my wife and I needed them most. Adam helped me with my personal injury case from a car accident last year. The comfort you get from HHJ attorneys is not something I expected and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a personal touch in a world that surely needs it right now.
