If you or a loved one has been a victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation. This could range from thousands to even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the injuries sustained.
After a car accident, we tend to react out of panic and confusion. It’s normal to feel scared or be emotionally distressed. We’re all humans, after all. Still, taking the necessary steps immediately is important so you can maximize your auto accident claim and start getting your life back on track.
It can be daunting to do this, though, if you don’t know where and how to start. In this article, I’ll help you understand the basics through the dos and don’ts when you get into a car accident so you know what actions to take and avoid after a car accident.
What to do?
Do a thorough check
Perhaps the most important and the very first step you should take after a car accident is to make sure that all the parties involved are well and safe. Do this by first checking for any injuries. Calling 911 to seek medical help as soon as you can is ideal, even if your injuries seem minor. Make sure to keep your emotions in check so you can properly evaluate the situation – take notes of important details about the accident.
Collect information
If you think you can manage to move around and talk, you can start to talk to the other driver while waiting for the police and the ambulance to arrive. Your purpose for talking to them is to see whether or not they admit fault. This will help you gather as much evidence as possible regarding the accident. Important information that you need to know are the other driver’s name, license and registration, vehicle plate number, insurance information. It also helps to know if there are other people within the vicinity who are willing to give a statement. Taking pictures to document the surroundings, damages, weather, and traffic signs would be helpful in building your case. It will help you prove that you were in the right.
Talk to the police
Whatever information is indicated on the police statement can help prove the other driver’s negligence. It will be used to build your case. This will also include the statement of the at-fault party, so it’s important to talk to the police and give a clear account of what happened and explain your side.
Inform your insurance company
You have the obligation to speak with and cooperate with your insurance provider. They may need to know some information about the accident, so you need to give them any detail that’s relevant to the accident. It’s important to keep in mind though, that the information you give your insurance provider shouldn’t include any assertion about who was at-fault in the accidents. Only give them a clear account of what happened without making any accusations.
Hire an experienced Car Accident Attorney
Oftentimes, our words get misinterpreted and other people may even claim that you are partially at fault or negligent yourself. It’s therefore highly recommended that you
To avoid being misinterpreted by other people who may say that you are partially negligent in the accident yourself, it’s highly recommended that you reach out to a capable and experienced car accident attorney before providing your insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
What not to do?
Don’t overshare online
During this time and age, everyone seems to be all over social media. Many people can make the mistake of oversharing online. While you are in the process of claiming compensation for injuries that have altered your life, avoid sharing about your activities on social media. Photos of you doing activities like playing contact sports, doing rigorous workouts, DIY projects at home, and the likes may negatively impact your case.
Don’t miss appointments with your doctors
Getting better should be your top priority. Although you may seem to be feeling better, it would still be unwise for you to miss appointments with your doctors. Aside from the fact that this will have a negative impact on your recovery, the other party will also request your medical records. They will check if you’ve been visiting your doctors regularly and any gaps in treatment will be highlighted throughout litigation, which could play badly for you.
Don’t admit fault or apologize
Georgia is a “comparative negligence” state. This means that additional issues in your case could be raised in litigation. It’s therefore important to avoid admitting fault or apologizing in any way at the scene, or during a phone call with the insurance company as this may contribute to your liability and will impact your recovery negatively.
In case it is determined that you are partially at fault in the car accident, it’s still possible to recover damages. However, only an experienced attorney can help you recover what you are rightfully owed.
Conclusion
Car accidents are unfortunate events that may put us into emotional distress and turmoil. It can be hard to get our lives back on track after sustaining life-altering injuries. It’s good to be well-informed and prepared. Now that you know what to do and not to do after a car accident, you can better prepare yourself for the unexpected.
If you or a loved one become victims of a car accident and have sustained injuries, having competent representation by an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you get what you’re owed so you can start getting your life back on track.
If you have any questions or want to know how you can proceed with your claim, do not hesitate to contact me here. I’ll be there for you.