Overly aggressive driving usually translates into excessive speed or following too closely. Both are dangerous. Both are against the law, and they’re two of the most common causes of accidents. If you have been in an accident and injured by a careless, negligent and aggressive driver, you’ll want to do these three things.
Call for police
Don’t ever get talked out of calling police at the scene of an accident. Without a police report, it’s unlikely that you’ll have any case at all. The investigating officer will document the crash, damage to the vehicles involved and take the statements of any witnesses. Their contact information will appear on the police report. It might even reflect an admission of liability for the accident by the person who caused the accident. An admission of liability to an investigating officer carries considerable weight. You can pick up a copy of the accident report a few days later at a nominal cost.
Ask that paramedics come to the scene
You’ll want to start the paper trail that documents your injuries too. When you call 911, the dispatcher will ask whether anybody was injured and if paramedics are needed. Answer both questions affirmatively. The paramedics will examine and evaluate you, and then they’ll note any subjective and objective symptoms. Insist on being transported to an emergency room where more detailed diagnostics and treatment can be done. Follow all instructions from the emergency room. Attorneys at law firms like D. Chadwick Calvert Law Office advise that medical costs, lost earnings and pain and suffering are all compensable. Since the opposing insurer will be obtaining copies of your medical records, make sure that you show up at all of your treatment and doctor appointments. Failing to appear or gaps in treatment will impair your credibility.
Search for a quality auto accident attorney
Don’t try to obtain compensation for your losses on your own. If you do that, the opposing insurance company has you right where it wants you, and you’ll be prejudicing any case that you might have while giving up valuable rights without even knowing it. A quality and respected auto accident attorney will preserve and protect your rights. He or she will work to maximize any compensation that you might receive.
Help yourself in order to seek the compensation that you deserve after being injured in a car accident. Following these three pieces of advice can provide a solid foundation for your case.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
