You can’t always predict when an accident is going to happen. When one does you need to take immediate action. Delaying claims for compensation could lead to the statute of limitations expiring. In most states, car accident claims have to be made around two years from the date they happened before claims can no longer be made. In the aftermath of an accident, it’s crucial to consider seeking professional assistance. This law firm in Georgia, specializing in personal injury cases, can provide the guidance and legal expertise you need to navigate the complexities of the claims process. Timely action with the support of this law firm ensures that you protect your rights and maximize your chances of a successful compensation claim.
However, there is a lot more that you need to do beyond making a claim in the wake of a car accident and this post will tell you about what those things you need to do and most importantly, how you can protect your rights.
Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer should be the first person you get in touch with after you have returned home from the hospital. You can read more about the process of hiring a lawyer on a legal expert’s website. The reason that you need to hire a lawyer is that, without one, compensation is unlikely. While it is theoretically possible for untrained and unskilled individuals (in the law) to make claims themselves, such claims rarely result in profitable payouts. Insurance companies are trained to haggle and negotiate with claimants. Without knowledge of the law or your rights, there is no way you will be able to argue for the highest amount of compensation and protect your rights and entitlements. Ensure that the lawyer you hire is experienced, skilled, and a good negotiator, so they can negotiate on your behalf effectively.
Calling An Ambulance
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, your priority should be on protecting yourself and the other people involved, not claiming compensation. To ensure that any injuries are dealt with effectively call for the paramedics. Even if you are not seriously hurt and nobody else is, it’s still good to get in touch with them in case you have any injuries that have not yet become manifest, like whiplash which can take a few days to appear, for example. Along with the ambulance service, you should call the police, especially if you suspect the other driver involved is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Taking Down Evidence
If you were able to then at the scene of the car accident try to collect as much evidence as you can. Ideally, the evidence that you collect should be photographic. Taking photographic evidence can be a highly effective way of proving your case when it comes time to make a claim for compensation. It can be very difficult for the guilty driver’s insurance company to disprove images that were taken from the scene of the accident. Try to make sure that the images you take are clear and show what took place. If you are able to, take a video as well.
Speaking to Your Doctor
After you have been discharged from the hospital or the next day, get in touch with your usual family physician and request a medical certificate. The certificate you receive can then be given to your lawyer, who in turn can pass it over to the insurance agency from whom compensation is being claimed. Once you have provided a medical certificate there is not much else you personally need to do. Most insurance agencies will accept medical certificates as evidence of injury as long as you have proven their client was responsible.
Physical Therapy
Depending on the severity of your injuries it might be worth pursuing physical therapy. You can’t always predict how severe the injuries from a car accident are going to be so if yours have been particularly nasty, physical therapy can help you to get back on your feet and start living again. That being said if your injuries are life-changing then while physical therapy is important, your main focus should be getting compensation so that you can continue to live a comfortable life even with the injuries you have sustained.
Being Completely Honest
Let’s be honest here: when you get injured the natural response is to exaggerate the severity of your injuries to elicit sympathy from others. Nearly everybody does this. It’s fine to exaggerate when you are at home with your family, however, if you exaggerate in court or when you are giving statements to your lawyer you could get into a lot of trouble. In fact, exaggerating the extent of your injuries in court is actually a fraud. Committing fraud is not something that you will want to do as it can lead to your arrest and imprisonment.
Car accidents happen. When they do, you need to follow the instructions given here. Not following them could lead to you not getting the compensation you are entitled to or that you deserve. Make sure that you follow this post to the very letter for this reason.