7 Steps To Take If You Get Injured In A Car Accident
Car accidents are common occurrences that happen daily. In most cases, a car accident only damages the car by leaving a bump or scratch. However, if you suffered from injuries due to a car accident, you should take the necessary actions right after the collision to guarantee that you’d have a higher chance of getting full compensation for the injuries you’ve acquired.
If you’re involved in a car accident without insurance, you might feel doubtful to call the authorities as you’re worried about the possible expenses. You can rely on this helpful site and identify if you can settle a car accident even without the aid of an insurance company.
Moreover, listed below are the steps you need to take if you get injured in a car accident:
1. Seek Medical Treatment
Once you’re involved in a car accident, you should seek medical treatment right away by calling an ambulance or heading to the hospital yourself. This isn’t the right time to be worried about the possible expenses and hope that the injuries will go away. The longer you wait, the more the insurance company will believe that you’re not really in pain due to the car accident, and you just wish to be compensated for the accident.
This will also prove important for your compensation claim. Every experienced vehicle accident lawyer will tell you that evidence of your injuries is key to getting the compensation you deserve. So, make sure to document your injuries and follow all medical instructions.
2. Call The Authorities
Right after you’ve called an ambulance, you should contact law enforcement and file a report about the accident. This way, they’ll go to the accident site, conduct a thorough inspection, and interview all parties involved and third-party witnesses. They should also be able to inspect the vehicles and see who’s at fault in the first place.
When you fail to call the authorities, the stories might alter and could reverse who’s really at fault, resulting in the loss of your insurance claim.
3. Take Photos
When the authorities arrive, you should ask them for photos of the vehicle’s damages and your physical injuries. These should provide proper documentation of what really happened. These photos could also stand as proof to the insurance company and your lawyer. This way, you’ll have strong evidence of what happened at the scene and avoid alterations to the story.
4. Describe Your Injuries Thoroughly
Once you’re in contact with a medical professional, you should inform them about all the pain and injuries you’re experiencing. You mustn’t exaggerate or minimize the symptoms that you’re feeling, but, rather, be honest with the pain level you’re experiencing.
You need to be specific about every symptom as the medical providers will create a report about your injuries. It’ll be the basis of the insurance company about the compensation they’ll give you.
5. Acquire Comprehensive Diagnostic Tests
To strengthen your case about the injuries you’ve obtained, you should request a comprehensive diagnostic test that’s valid for your concerns. This way, you’d be having thorough and detailed proof about the injuries and pains you’ve acquired following the accident. As said earlier, this isn’t the best time to be worried about the possible expenses as your health should be your number one priority.
Moreover, you should keep all receipts from the hospital to show to the insurance company, so they’d know the total healthcare costs.
6. Retain Your Statement To Any Insurance Company
After your insurance company gets wind about the car accident, they’ll most likely connect with you and get your statement about what happened. Even if they make you feel like you’re in good hands, retain your information and wait for your attorney. Your attorney should be the one they connect with as the insurance company can use your statements against you.
In cases where the other driver is not insured or has insufficient insurance, then your insurance company will use your coverage under the uninsured or underinsured policy. With that, you should avoid providing details to your insurance company.
7. Don’t Let The Insurance Adjuster Influence You
In most cases, the insurance adjuster will influence you to do a settlement after you’ve told them that you’re retaining a lawyer. They’d be giving you payment so you would refrain from calling your lawyer, who’ll be discussing your legal rights. You must know that the insurance adjuster would try to give as little money as possible so that you could avoid knowing your rights as the person who got injured in the accident.
Conclusion
When you’re involved in a car accident, you should immediately take action so you’d have a better chance of getting full compensation for your injuries and other damages. You must seek medical help immediately as the longer you wait, the lower your fighting chance of getting proper compensation.
