A car accident is among the most horrifying ordeals a person can experience in life. While there are no full-proof ways to avoid car accidents, ensuring that you have adequate and sufficient car insurance and adhering to driving safety rules can go a long way in preventing car crashes and the frustration they bring. But truth be told, some days are just unfortunate, and it’s not out of this world to find yourself in a car accident. This is because while you may take all the necessary steps to protect yourself and other road users, a negligent driver could come ‘out of nowhere’ and just bump into your vehicle. This is where car injury cases and compensation claims come in!
Now, whether it’s whiplash from a minor fender bender or other serious injuries from a car accident, it’s important that you get the most out of your car accident claim. As the victim of the car accident, filing a legal claim against the negligent party may seem like the first thing you’d want to do after a car accident. However, most people forget that this is a long process involving crucial elements right from how and where the accident happened. To make your lawsuit have greater monetary value, there are steps that you’ll need to follow. These are crucial steps that could see the claim processes flow smoothly and that you also get compensated fairly.
With that in mind, below are surefire ways to maximize your compensation in a car injury claim.
1. Document Everything
Depending on the nature of your car accident, you may or may not be able to document some things. Nonetheless, making a call to the police will make it easier for you. After the police arrive at the scene of the crime, they will take a detailed report of the accident. Whatever is recorded in this report is of utmost importance in a car injury claim. If you’re able, it’s important that you get a copy of this report or alternatively, have your own detailed account of the events following the accident.
It’s best your report includes witness information, driver information (license, names, ID number, and address), plate numbers, and insurance information. Tim Tate from the Tate Law Offices in Dallas, TX insists on documenting witness details if you can because it’s the best source of information in car accident cases. However, if there are no witnesses, the police can still use other sources such as dashcam recorders, pictures and videos from your mobile devices, traffic camera pictures and videos, and accident reconstruction.
Other important documents you need to preserve for your car accident case include your medical records, reports from the different doctors who treated you, and a written report from your employer, accounting the days you were absent from work and how the accident affected your productivity.
2. Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
In a car accident claim, you must establish that your injuries were a result of the car accident. This can only be determined if you have proof from a medical report, medical bills, and witness reports. Medical bills will be critical in determining the costs incurred treating your injuries and how long it took. As you can see, it’s imperative that you seek immediate medical treatment after a car accident because, for starters, you don’t want the insurance company adjusters to argue that your injuries are not accident-related or that your injuries are not severe.
3. Contact a Car Accident Attorney
You have the right to represent yourself in a car accident claim, but it’s highly recommended that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Personal injury attorneys are well versed with personal injury laws and in addition to this, they have what it takes to negotiate the best settlement. Below are reasons to hire an experienced car accident attorney for your accident injury claim:
- To prove liability, especially when it’s disputed by the insurance company
- To establish pain and suffering
- To deal with insurance adjusters
- To take your car accident case to trial
- It’s a cost-effective process – Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they’ll bear the cost of the case from the time they take you as their client to the time they see your case through. You actually don’t even have to worry about a consultation fee. However, this means researching for the best attorneys who’ll represent your case.
Common Mistakes to Avoid To Maximize Your Compensation In A Car Injury Case
Car accidents are a common occurrence. However, many people are still in the dark on the do’s and don’ts after a car accident. One thing to note is what you do after a car accident will have a huge impact on your case and ultimately your accident compensation claim. To see that you get full and fair compensation for your injuries, below are mistakes to avoid:
- Do not leave the scene of the accident
- Never admit liability
- Failing to gather evidence from the scene of the accident
- Failing to get a copy of the police report
- Failing to see a doctor for your injuries
- Giving in to the first offer from insurance companies
- Failing to hire an accident attorney