Two and three million people are injured in car accidents on U.S. roads every year.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you may be entitled to damages.
Several factors affect the value of a car accident injury claim. Understanding these factors will go a long way in winning your case and maximizing your settlement.
Note: If you have an injury claim, speak to a lawyer today. The consultation is free and there are no upfront legal costs. An attorney only collects a fee if you receive compensation.
The actions you take immediately after an accident can greatly affect the value of your claim.
While it is natural to instinctively want to flee the scene, this could land you in serious legal trouble. As such, do not move or run off after the crash.
Be careful what you say at the scene of the crash. Do not apologize, admit fault, apportion blame, or discuss facts regarding the accident.
Your statements may be misconstrued and your words may hurt your personal injury case.
Most states require drivers to report accidents to the local police, especially if someone has been injured or killed. If you are in a position, contact the police and file a police report. In such a confusing situation, the report will provide documentation of the crash, effectively helping to establish liability.
Even if you were not responsible for the crash, report the accident to your auto insurance company immediately. Notifying your insurer of the crash in good time will enable you to get all the insurance benefits you’re entitled to.
If you are in good physical condition, collect as much information as possible at the scene of the crash. Make sure the information is relevant to your claim. The evidence will play a critical role in helping to prove liability and support your claim, so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Take clear photos of all the vehicles involved in the crash, multiple photos of the accident scene and pictures of your injuries. Also, write down everything you can remember about the accident and gather witness statements. Lastly, exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver. Your attorney will use this information to build a strong personal injury case on your behalf.
Car accident injuries are not always immediately noticeable. However, such injuries may worsen over time and affect your quality of life in the long run. Even if you do not think you are injured, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Be sure to keep all your appointments and complete all treatments.
The doctor will conduct a physical examination and administer the right treatment to help protect your health. You will also obtain official medical documentation of your injuries. A medical report is a crucial piece of evidence for your car accident injury claim, one that will help to prove the nature and extent of your injuries.
After you have been in a car accident, you may incur a host of out-of-pocket expenses. These include expenses relating to towing services, storage costs, car rental, transportation to medical appointments, costs of child care for your young children, and personal care expenses. To ensure you are properly compensated, be sure to keep copies of all your bills and receipts.
To get the maximum amount of compensation, you should also keep a record of your injuries and recovery. Keeping a journal is a great way to document your pain, suffering or any inconvenience.
Make sure all the records are accurate and keep them safe.
Insurance companies will look for any information they can use to reduce the value of your claim. The information you post can be interpreted as an admission of fault or could destroy your confidentiality. The defense may also use your posts to claim that you were not really hurt or did not suffer emotional distress.
To ensure you do not harm your legal case and that you get the most money for your car accident injury claim, consider staying off social media during your personal injury lawsuit.
Car accidents can be traumatizing. Similarly, insurance companies will try to take advantage of you by giving you a low settlement offer.
Do not accept a settlement before talking to a car accident lawyer.
To ensure you get fair compensation, get in touch with a car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
Your lawyer will evaluate your case and calculate the value of your claim, taking into account both economic and non-economic damages.
An attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and represent you in court if the case goes to trial.
Plaintiffs with lawyers generally receive 3x the amount of compensation than those who are unrepresented or attempt to handle their car accident injury claim on their own.
Car accident injury cases can be complex and may drag on for a while. If you are experiencing financial hardships, the claims process can be frustrating. However, avoid the temptation to settle your claim quickly. Instead, give your lawyer time to competently handle the case and see it through to the end.
If you are willing to settle too quickly, the insurance company will likely offer you way less than you deserve. It’s to your advantage to let the insurance company get the impression that you are patient and willing to go to trial. Without the threat of trial, the insurance company will only attempt to drag out your case and offer a settlement amount that will likely barely cover your damages.
Don’t deal with the insurance company on your own.
Talk to a lawyer about your case for free.
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