Top Rules to Follow Immediately After a Car Accident
Approximately 1.25 million people involved in car crashes die every year. And over 20 million suffer from injuries or disabilities, according to the Association of Safe International Road Travel.
When involved in an accident, it is normal to feel confused about what you can do under the law to experience a stress-free claim process. You want to ensure everyone involved is protected and that you receive the right amount of compensation for injuries.
While it is essential to follow all procedures listed by authorities, there are golden rules you should never overlook if you are involved in a road accident. Following these rules are essential for you to remain safe after the car accident and prevent paying penalties, especially if you are not the party at fault. These rules will also make it very easy for you to claim compensation if you are the injured party and avoid having any legal repercussions.
Listed below are the top rules everyone should follow after experiencing a car accident:
Always Get Out of the Car
Even if you and the other driver assume there are no injuries or damages, always stop and get out of the car. Regardless of how minor you think the accident is, it’s always best if you get out of the car. The accident might have caused the car to leak fluids and, over time, can result in a fire and even explosion. When this happens, and you are still inside the car, you will remain trapped and suffer from more injuries and burns.
Check for injuries and property damages, and contact the police so you can make a statement. Check if you sustained any injuries and if you’re well enough to walk, spend some time to check if the other parties involved have sustained injuries, as well. Being in a car accident can be nerve-wracking, but checking on yourself should always be your priority, rather than helping out the other party involved. After confirming everyone is safe, collect the evidence you need to file a claim.
Consider taking photos of the car scene, collect contact information from the other driver and witnesses, car details, video footage, and a police report. Make sure not to move your vehicle from the scene until instructed to preserve evidence.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
You might assume calling your insurance company or agent after the accident is the right thing to do. The truth is, you should avoid speaking to your insurer or the other driver’s insurance provider before consulting a lawyer. According to experts at JJS Justice, insurance companies often offer a settlement that is less the amount you deserve as compensation. Besides negotiating the right amount of payment for medical bills, loss of income, and long-term health care, personal injury attorneys play significant roles in car accident claims. They handle insurance matters, gather evidence, and represent you in court to ensure you receive fair justice.
Contacting a Los Angeles car accident lawyer or any legal firm from your area will also help you gather the necessary information to file and win your case in court. Working with an experienced legal attorney will also make it very easy for you to recover from the injuries you have sustained from the accident. These attorneys will take care of everything – from talking to your insurance company provider to settling the case in court – which means that you will have the time to rest and recover fast.
Be Cautious of What You Say
Starting a conversation with the other driver about the facts of the collision is one of the costly mistakes drivers commit after the accident. Anything you say at the crash scene may hold you accountable even when there is no evidence. Instead of getting yourself in trouble by engaging in a conversation insists that he gives you a copy of his documents and collect additional evidence that may help you in filing a claim. Cooperate and let the police ask questions to determine who was at fault.
Ideally, you should not make any statements about the accident unless your lawyer arrives at the scene of the accident. A car accident lawyer will help you come up with answers the moment the policemen and insurance companies start throwing you with questions.
Key Takeaway Points
Car accidents are unique. However, insurance companies always use the same tactics to convince drivers not to call a personal injury lawyer. Regardless of the situation, make sure to follow the mentioned rules after an auto accident. That is the only way you can ensure receiving a fair amount of compensation.
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