Imagine you’re driving to work one morning and, suddenly, the car in front of you slams on its brakes. You can’t stop in time, and so your car crashes into them. The airbags deploy, the police come by to investigate and take a statement from you about what happened. It’s no big deal; it happens all the time.
But this accident has caused damage to your life you may never recover from. What do you do when you’re faced with such situations? Justice must be served. Here’s how to protect your rights when you’ve been involved in an auto accident.
Take Pictures Of The Scene
As a victim of a car accident, you will be confused and stressed. That’s why it’s so important to take pictures of the scene immediately after the crash happens if you can. You want photographic evidence of what happened – especially if anyone is injured or killed in the accident.
If any property has been damaged as well, take photos of those damages as well. This will help you prove your case later on down the road if there are any disputes about who caused the accident and how it occurred.
Call The Police
You’d be surprised how many people will try to convince you not to call the police for an accident. After all, they know that once law enforcement is involved, it becomes much harder to hide their part in what happened. That’s why they’ll pressure you into calling your insurance company instead of the cops.
But calling the police is absolutely essential; they are trained professionals who can gather important evidence and make sure everyone gets home safely after a car accident.
Speak To Injury Lawyers
An experienced lawyer should be one of the first people you should call after being involved in a car accident. They will be able to guide you through the steps of recovering damages, whether it’s for medical bills, pain, and suffering, loss of income due to time away from work, or any other losses that occurred because of someone else’s negligence.
Remember, your health is just as important as your personal safety on the road. Insurance fraud may occur if you deliberately try to take advantage of coverage limits or try to exaggerate how serious an injury was after a car accident takes place. According to the team behind Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm, lawyers can make sure this doesn’t happen when you work with them. They are reputable attorneys who are committed to helping their clients get the results they deserve when they’ve been involved in accidents.
Talk To Available Witnesses
Witnesses can include law enforcement, bystanders, and even other drivers. They may be able to provide evidence that the accident was not your fault or that you were only partially responsible.
Depending on where you live, witnesses who have been subpoenaed may have to show up in court as well if needed. That’s why it’s essential to record their contact information for future reference.
Gather Evidence
Victims of a car accident should gather as much evidence as possible from the scene of the crash. This includes all paper documents related to what happened – such as police reports or bills from medical treatment – as well as physical items like car parts, damaged clothing, and anything else with a license plate number on it.
In some cases, there will be video evidence as well, such as surveillance footage from the gas station that caused the accident because of a pothole.
And don’t forget to take photos and other forms of visual documentation as well. This will help you make sure no one tries to twist the story and make it look like your negligence caused this accident when in reality they were at fault.
Do Not Admit Fault
It may seem counterintuitive to claim you’re not at fault when it appears obvious what happened when giving a statement or talking to law enforcement after an auto collision. Legal advice is especially crucial in cases where injuries were suffered by more than one person.
Oftentimes, the police will ask you who caused the accident and then tell your side of the story. However, keep in mind that there’s a jury trial waiting for both of you if this case goes to court. The prosecution can use your statement against you later on down the road if there are any disputes about who caused the accident and how it occurred.
Be sure to speak with an attorney who specializes in car accidents before giving any final statements to the authorities.
Notify Your Insurance Agent
Depending on the type of car insurance you have, constantly check your insurance policy and be sure you understand what it provides in terms of coverage limits and requirements. When there’s an accident, call your agent immediately, so they can help work with the other driver’s insurance carrier to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for damages that exceed the liability limits on either person’s policy. You’ll likely be asked about medical bills or loss of wages, plus how much pain and suffering was experienced by you and/or passengers in the car due to injuries sustained during this crash.
It’s also essential to keep every document associated with every doctor visit related to treatment after this collision, including copies of receipts for expenses paid out-of-pocket after insurance claims were denied. You’ll need this documentation to file your personal injury lawsuit if the need arises.
Remember, getting the compensation you deserve is essential in order to cover losses that may have occurred due to someone else’s negligence on the road. Don’t let anyone get away with causing this accident and leaving you with long-lasting physical or emotional scars.
Take Care Of Yourself
It might seem like you should immediately start working on a personal injury case involving the other party and their insurer. However, you should put your own health and safety first and foremost by getting treatment for any injuries or conditions that occurred as a result of this accident.
Don’t neglect to take care of yourself if you’re in pain because it could get worse if left untreated. Get medical attention right away after this happens until all symptoms have been brought under control. Don’t try to deal with this alone because that will only hinder your ability to recover damages in court later on down the road when your claim gets filed.
If you’ve been in a car accident, it is important to know your rights. The best way to protect your interests would be to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate these murky waters. Choosing one that practices near where the crash took place will make communication easier for both parties involved.
