When you have been involved in an automobile accident, you will likely have little way of knowing what may follow. In many of these situations, the questions of who was at fault, how seriously those involved were injured, and whether or not injury claims will be approved by insurance companies come to the forefront very fast. If you want to make sure you get compensated following your accident while steering clear of legal trouble, keep these tips in mind as your case moves forward.
Call the Police
When you are a victim of an auto accident, calling the police to the scene means an accident report will be filed by the responding officers. This can be crucial since the police will make a preliminary determination of which driver was at fault. If it turns out police believe the other driver caused the accident, this puts you in the driver’s seat to gain substantial financial compensation.
Photograph the Damage
If you are able to do so, pull out your smartphone and begin taking pictures of the vehicles involved and how much damage each sustained. Doing so can prevent the other driver from claiming damage to their vehicle that in reality never occurred. Also, take pictures of nearby road signs, traffic signals, skid marks on the road, or anything else you think your lawyer could use for your case. If you aren’t legally represented, consider working with reputable professionals like The Radmore Law Firm. It’s always best to have a lawyer’s number on hand in case you get into unexpected accidents.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Even though you may need to talk to the police, the other driver, and possibly others as well while at the accident scene, don’t make the mistake of saying something that others can take to mean you admitted fault for the accident. Something as simple as an apology to the other driver or police could quickly derail your chances of winning a personal injury lawsuit.
Get Medical Treatment
Finally, even if you are not sure whether or not your injuries are serious, never refuse to get medical treatment at the scene and at a hospital or from your family doctor within 24 hours following the accident. If you do, this makes it much too easy for insurance companies to deny your injury claim by saying you were not seriously injured in your accident.
Though you may feel confused and nervous following your accident, use excellent judgment and seek out the advice of an experienced auto accident attorney. Once you do, they can discuss the details of your case with you, present various scenarios and legal options, and help you move forward in your effort to gain compensation for your injuries.
This article is from Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
