When you are driving down the freeway, it only takes a matter of seconds for you to find yourself involved in an accident. Before you know it, you are dealing with what may be life-changing injuries, a car that is badly damaged, and the prospect of being out of work for who knows how long. Should you find yourself in a freeway accident, take these steps immediately so that you can gain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact Police
First, always contact the police so they can get to your accident scene as fast as possible. Once there, they can not only direct traffic away from the scene so that you and others remain safe, but also begin a preliminary investigation into how the accident occurred. Once officers file an accident report, always obtain a copy, since it will contain specific details of the accident and their opinion as to which driver caused the accident.
Allow Medical Treatment
The worst thing you can do when involved in a car accident is to refuse medical treatment at the accident scene. If you do so, you are putting your health at great risk, since back injuries and traumatic brain injuries sometimes don’t show symptoms until hours later. Along with this, you are also making it much too easy for an insurance company to claim you were never injured in the accident itself.
Speak to an Attorney
Even if you are in the hospital for several days after the accident, arrange to speak to an auto accident attorney as quickly as possible. Remember, attorneys are normally willing to meet with you in the hospital to discuss the details of your accident. After discussing your accident in greater detail, your attorney can advise you if you have a strong case, what you should and should not do while your case proceeds, and provide you an estimate on how much compensation you may be able to receive for your accident.
Focus on Negotiating a Settlement
Most car accident cases are ultimately settled out of court. Thus, always let your attorney negotiate with the other driver’s attorney and insurance company to reach a settlement in your favor. Rather than jump at the first offer an insurance company may make after the accident, trust your attorney to get you a much higher amount of compensation.
By remembering these steps and relying on your attorney from start to finish, you can emerge from your freeway accident with the compensation needed to pay your medical bills, replace your lost wages, and give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind.
Author information: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
