If you have been in a road accident, it is important to know what to do to ensure your case is handled properly. There are a few key things that you need to keep in mind as you move forward with your claim. This blog post will discuss some of the most important legal advice on managing your road accident case.
Document Your Injuries
You must seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure recovery. Not only that, but New Yorkers are advised by their Car Accident Lawyer on Staten Island to do this because they can document all the scars while fresh. This is valuable evidence you can later present in court.
Keep all the statements, x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other medical reports, as they will help document the injuries. These medical reports will also come in handy when claiming damages. For example, if an x-ray reveals a broken bone, it will be difficult for the other party to argue that the injury was not caused by accident.
Keep All Medical Bills
Apart from medical records, it’s also important to preserve all medical bills related to the accident. These will be key in illustrating the financial damages you’ve incurred as a direct result of the accident. Make sure to keep copies of all medical bills before and after the accident and any correspondence with insurance companies.
You should not pay for any medical bills related to the accident out of your pocket if you plan on filing a personal injury claim. Instead, these should be paid by either your health insurance or the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. If you end up paying for any of these expenses, keep detailed records and receipts so that you can be reimbursed later.
Call The Police
It’s important to report the accident to authorities, who will come out to the scene, take reports, and offer assistance. In some cases, the law may even require you to report the accident.
When the officer interviews, tell the truth and don’t exaggerate what happened. The police will create a report based on the information that you and other witnesses provide. If you’re unsure about something, tell the officer you’re not certain and explain why.
Be as specific as possible when answering questions, but don’t speculate. For example, don’t say that the other driver was speeding just because he or she hit your car hard.
After they’re done, ask for a copy of the police report. You’ll most likely have to pay a small fee, but it will be worth it. The report will be handy when you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Document The Damage
It’s important to document the scene of the accident, especially the damage done to your vehicle. This will come in handy later on if you have to file an insurance claim or police report. Be sure to take plenty of pictures from different angles, and note any important details, like skid marks or debris.
Make sure to capture the skid marks on the road. These can help show how fast the other driver was going and whether or not they were braking before the collision.
Also, be sure to document any damage done to signage, guardrails, or other property. This will come in handy if you need to file a police report.
Exchange Information
Approach the other party when you’re ready and ask for their information. Demand the following pieces:
- Insurance information
- License plate numbers
- Contact information
- The make, model, and year of their vehicle
- Driver’s license number
If the other driver isn’t cooperative or tries to avoid exchanging information, jot down their license plate number. This can help file a police report later.
In some states, it’s against the law to leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information. If you’re involved in a hit-and-run, call the police right away.
Interview Witnesses
Any witness present at the scene of an accident can play a critical role in providing information that can help determine how the accident happened. If you have been involved in a road accident, interviewing witnesses may be one of your lawyer’s first steps to build your case.
Your lawyer will likely want to speak with any witnesses as soon as possible after the accident while their memory of what happened is still fresh. In some cases, witnesses may have already told the police or another insurance company. Your lawyer will obtain copies of these statements so they can prepare for any inconsistencies that may come up during their interview.
Hire A Lawyer
You should never take a car accident lightly, no matter how minor, because you’re entitled to compensation, and you’ll teach a negligent person a valuable lesson. As mentioned multiple times, a lawyer can greatly help when hiring one because they will know the ins and outs of the law.
The first thing you should do is find a reliable lawyer with experience managing road accident cases. You can ask your family or friends for recommendations or look for one online. The right attorney will make all the difference.
File A Claim
Once all the evidence is there and you have a lawyer on your side, it’s time to file an insurance claim or personal injury claim. The first step is filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you don’t have collision coverage on your car, then filing a claim with your insurance company would be next. After that, if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, you could file a claim with your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
The case will likely be settled out of court, which is good because it will spare you the time, energy, and expense of going to trial. But if a trial is necessary, know that your lawyer will be with you every step of the way, fighting to get you the compensation you deserve.
Car accidents are serious, so you need to react accordingly to them. Make sure to document your injuries and keep all medical bills along with a police report. Document the damage to your vehicle and exchange information with the other driver. Make sure to interview any witnesses present and hire a lawyer to handle your case better. Finally, once ready, file an accident claim to receive compensation!
