Top Practical Steps You Should Follow After A Car Accident
For one, you must seek medical attention as soon as you can after the incident. Then, it is important to notify your insurance company straight away. Beyond that, you will need to hire an attorney to help you make a claim and support you in court if it comes to that. Gather evidence of your injuries and financial losses and understand how much compensation you should expect, so you know what to fight for. And remember, healing takes time, so seek support and be patient with yourself.
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately following an automobile accident, it is important to visit a medic and get checked over. These events can be very serious, and if they are not fatal, they can still lead to severe injuries, even if you do not realize straight away that you are hurt. Whiplash, for instance, often sets in a little while after the incident.
Being involved in a car crash can significantly impact your life, as well as the lives of your loved ones. In fact, car crash-related injuries can pose a huge challenge for you not only physically, but psychologically and financially as well. If you suffer from mental trauma or ongoing large medical bills, this can negatively impact your life for years to come. The sooner you see a medic, the better for your recovery.
Remember to keep all medical records and receipts as they will serve as evidence if you go to court over the incident. Moreover, they will inform the amount of compensation you could be rewarded for your suffering.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should notify your insurance company as soon as you can following the incident. The later you notify them, the more complicated the process of making a claim can become. In some cases, the claim may go to court, as your insurance company could be unwilling to pay out the amount you want and need to get your life back on track. Insurance companies are all about money and can be difficult to deal with.
Even if you do not end up in court, it helps to have a lawyer on board to deal with the insurance company on your behalf. They know best how to get you the best payout possible and avoid making mistakes with your statement. Often, car crash survivors can be tricked into saying something in their statement that the insurance company can use as a loophole to avoid paying out.
Hire an Attorney
So, you must have a good attorney on your side to make sure you are taken care of during this challenging process. Make sure you consult with a few law firms and get a feel for their services, aptitude and expertise. You will need a lawyer who has a ton of experience with automobile accident claims and a successful track record in court.
Make sure you are honest and upfront with your lawyer so they are armed with all of the necessary information they need to help you. An expert car accident lawyer in Hartford, CT, can support you in making an insurance claim and help you to win in court if the case goes that far. Moreover, they will be able to demonstrate that a third person was liable for the event using the evidence you have helped them to collect.
Gather Evidence
On top of your medical bills, prescriptions and diagnoses, you should gather all other significant evidence of the event, your financial damages and your injuries. Save all documentation related to your financial losses, such as mechanic and car tow bills, evidence of time off work or a reduced ability to go back to work at the same role and pay grade, and costs of ongoing care or house modifications to accommodate your injuries.
Moreover, you can ask for a copy of the police report, take witnesses’ numbers and take photos of the scene of the crash, the damage to your car and any visible injuries you have obtained. Check to see if there was CCTV footage of the incident, or save the dashcam footage if you have a camera in the car. This can help prove the liability of a third party.
Understand Compensation
If your lawyer has sufficient evidence to support the claim that a third party was liable for your incident, you could be awarded compensation in court for your physical, financial and psychological suffering. The amount of compensation awarded should cover the costs of the crash, including the costs of damaged property, loss of income and medical bills, but it should also reflect your emotional damages and long-term physical suffering.
Compensation is supposed to help you to support your family during a tough time and allow you to live a fulfilling life following a traumatic event.
Recovery and Healing
You may not realize straight away that your car crash was a trauma in your life, but over time you may find that you experience anxiety and depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the event. You should seek support groups and counseling following the crash to help you process the experience and heal from it.
As for your physical recovery, that all depends upon the severity of your injuries. Head trauma, broken bones and deep cuts can take time to mend, while some injuries may be life-long. The best way to cope is with physiotherapy, mental health support and the love of your friends and family. Remember that healing takes time, so be kind to yourself.
In sum, the first thing you need to do following a car crash is to seek medical attention and make sure you are physically alright. Then, you should call your insurance company and hire an expert car crash attorney to help you make a claim. This is where you will need evidence of the event, your injuries and all financial losses that relate to the event. Make sure you understand compensation and know how much you want to be awarded, so you and your attorney can fight for justice. Finally, make sure you are surrounded by love and support following the crash and be patient with your healing process.
