The days and weeks following a car accident are full of bustle and confusion. Not only are you trying to put your life back together after a traumatising incident, but the phone never seems to stop ringing as you deal with insurance companies, police, medical professionals and employers.
However, to protect your legal rights and ensure you receive a full and fair settlement for your injuries, it is worth keeping in mind that you have to be proactive. There are measures you have to take to build a strong case against the party responsible for driver negligence. These are the ways you can protect your legal rights after crashing your vehicle.
Report the incident to the police:
As soon as the accident occurs, you will need to call the police. Even in cases where the damage is relatively minor, calling the police is necessary because it will mean the police have to write up a police report.
A police report is useful for establishing the facts surrounding the collision. When you are negotiating with insurance companies at a later date, a police report that puts the fault on the other driver is a valuable negotiating tool.
Don’t speak to the other party’s insurance company without an attorney:
The insurance company representing the other driver will likely try and make contact with you following an accident. They may appear polite and friendly, but you should not speak to them without your attorney.
Insurance adjusters employ underhanded negotiation tactics to mitigate their liability and reduce the amount they have to pay out. Even a conversational response to a question like “hi, how are you today?”, could result in a reduced payout. It is best to politely inform them that you do not wish to speak to them at this moment.
Get medical attention at the earliest opportunity and keep all bills and documentation:
If you were injured in the accident, seek medical attention immediately. Do not put it off in favour of a more convenient time. Delayed medical attention will harm your case and could mean you don’t receive the financial compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.
It is also important to keep any and all medical bills and documentation. These include emergency room bills, doctor bills, prescriptions costs, rehabilitation treatment, psychological therapy and counselling, and any other costs associated with your medical treatment. As the victim, you are entitled to compensation for each and every cost associated with the accident, providing you have the documentation to prove the cost.
Talk to an experienced attorney:
The best way to protect your legal rights is by consulting an attorney at the earliest possible moment. An experienced attorney with an extensive career built on handling car accident cases will be able to advise you of the best course of action to build a strong case.
This way, you can concentrate on the recovery process while your attorney handles the legal aspects of your car accident case.
Protecting your legal rights after a car accident does not happen automatically. It takes effort and time. However, hiring an attorney will mean your case is the strongest it can possibly be. This is what it will take to get every cent of the money you are owed for your injuries.
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