What you do in the immediate moments after a car accident will go a long way in making your case. Unfortunately, the burden and confusion of dealing with an accident is a sure way to create problems for yourself.
These seven key steps are a process by which you can familiarize yourself with proceedings and increase your chances of success. At the same time, seek the help of a skilled car accident attorney who will protect your interests and guarantee fair compensation.
Step 1: Assessing the Accident Scene and Gathering Evidence
First of all, after a car crash, you will need to reenact the accident scene by all possible means. For example, photograph any visible injury on your body or any visible defects in the lorries involved in the accident. Obtain witness statements that might prove vital in detailing the conditions that led to the event. The more evidence you capture at the scene, the stronger your case will be when you attempt to recover damages.
Remain cool-headed and focused because this information shall be hugely helpful to your car crash lawyer. The more proactive you are in the collection of evidence, the greater chance you will lay down the groundwork for a successful legal claim.
Step 2: Seeking Medical Attention and Documenting Injuries
One of the most important things to do right after your car accident is to seek medical attention, even if you do not think your injuries are that bad. Indeed, many of these injuries quite often may not be directly apparent and may become if left untreated. By seeing a health professional quickly, you can make sure that your injuries get diagnosed and treated properly. Moreover, medical records are extremely important in linking your injuries to the accident and establishing the extent of your damages.
Apart from independent seeking of medical care, comply with the treatment and recovery recommendations made by the doctor. Otherwise, the insurance companies will use that against you in trying to diminish your claim. Your treating doctor’s records are going to be the most important evidence your car crash lawyer needs in court.
Note all your medical expenses concerning the accident: how many times you visited the doctor, the costs of purchased medicines, and analyses undergone during rehabilitation. All these are admissible costs to be attached to your compensation claim.
Step 3: Reporting the Accident to the Authorities and Insurance Companies
If you are involved in an automobile accident, you should notify your insurance carrier and local authorities immediately. You would want the police to be present so there will be an official report of the incident and traffic violations.
Always be meticulously honest and cooperative while furnishing this statement to the police to help them with an effective investigation. While acquiring the insurance company, let them know about every further development in your accident case and your injuries. Your car crash lawyer may teach you how to perform these communications.
Cooperation with the police and insurance firms greatly helps in the smooth running of the case within the stipulated time. Further, if you report the accident immediately after occurrence and provide all correct information to the authorities, it will show your interest in getting justice done and also your getting fair compensation for damages.
Step 4: Contacting a Car Crash Lawyer and Scheduling a Consultation
Schedule a consultation with a reputable attorney who will let you explain your case and also give you tailored advice. You can raise questions, go through your evidence, and analyze the experience of the lawyer in areas concerning your suit.
We can refer you to someone who has handled similar cases and who has a good reputation. Consider the experience, style of communication, and willingness to prioritize your needs. They should listen to you, explain things clearly, and be there to support you throughout.
Feel free to talk about the accident, your injuries, and your correspondence with the insurance companies. All of this information will be important to analyze the merits of your case and work up a strategy.
Step 5: Evaluating the Lawyer’s Experience and Expertise
You want a type of attorney who primarily handles cases of personal injury. They have to have so many successful stories on their account regarding winning cases. Further, find out how they fared in negotiations with insurance companies and how it goes with litigating in court.
A car crash attorney will know the loopholes revolving around the cases of car accidents and the policies insurance companies have to pay as less as possible for a claim. They will work with all their efforts to help you build a strong case seeking maximum damages.
Most importantly, while you are consulting with an auto accident attorney, never forget to ask for his experience while handling cases like yours and how he resolves the legal conflicts. Make sure to know about their fee structure and how easily communications will be made, what estimation they have regarding your case’s timeline, etc. The factors that develop—and cement—trust between an attorney and his client are in fact termed transparency and openness.
Step 6: Negotiating with Insurance Companies and Pursuing a Settlement
Your lawyer will communicate with the insurance adjusters and fight for a settlement reflective of the actual losses. Your lawyer can present evidence and legal precedent that will propel you toward a favorable resolution.
It so often happens that insurance companies become too driven to want to settle your claims for the least amount of money possible. Having a good car crash attorney may, therefore, be very essential. Your attorney will wisely negotiate with the insurance company, drawing on experience in the field of law to defeat undervaluing or denying liability. If you want to achieve a favorable settlement, stick to your demands and practice patience.
Your auto accident attorney will want to keep you abreast of any offers or other developments that may happen in the course of the lawsuit. He can go through the settlement offers with you, explain to you the options open to you, and recommend whether to accept or counter the offer.
Step 7: Filing a Lawsuit and Going to Court if Necessary
If the insurance companies will not accept a reasonable settlement, your lawyer may recommend that you file a lawsuit and go to trial. Going through the litigation process can be long and overwhelming, but it is occasionally a requirement for receiving fair compensation. At this point, your attorney will begin preparing your case for trial, presenting further evidence, and arguing it in court.
Knowing that you might have to go to court is intense, but having a qualified car crash attorney on your side will boost your confidence. Your attorney will help you through each step of litigation, from the initial filing of a complaint to the final arguments presented in the courtroom. They will fight hard so that justice is done regarding what has happened to you, a victim of this car accident.
Let Us Help You Find a Car Crash Lawyer Today!
These seven essential steps will go a long way in managing legal matters. A car accident attorney will be a powerful partner, from the analysis of the scene of the accident to bargaining with insurance companies.
Do not hesitate to reach a car crash attorney whenever you need one, for they are always ready to help you through the process.
We can connect you with the legal counsel you deserve. Send us a request or call (866) 345-6784 today!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
