What to do when you’ve been hurt in a car accident?
Following a car accident, speaking with an attorney is the most important thing to do, after addressing any safety needs. Involving an attorney is an affordable process that allows you to obtain the compensation you deserve for any losses. Here is a breakdown of all you should be doing to handle a car accident effectively, with an auto injury attorney by your side.
Take Care of the Facts
It can be scary to know how to approach your car accident, especially when injuries have occurred. When police arrive, knowing what to do and who not to talk to can feel overwhelming. Before you do anything:
- Pause and record the facts of the situation.
- Make a mental list and identify who is hurt and what damage has occurred.
- Take evidence photos as soon as possible.
Car Accident Attorneys
If your car accident led to injuries, hiring a car accident attorney is crucial. Many attorneys offer free consultations, which means there is no reason not to receive help. Not only will you avoid paying a fortune, but your attorney will reassure you that your accident may not take you to court. Learn more to reach out to the right attorney for your case.
Attorneys also offer services that provide answers to any legal questions related to your accident. You can determine the official liabilities, possible settlements, and how to handle talking to insurance company representatives during their investigation. Follow-up negotiations and lawsuit filings are additional concerns that an auto injury attorney can explain in simple terms to their clients and help them navigate through those processes if necessary.
Your auto injury attorney is essentially your car accident guru. Avoiding their inclusion would be a very big mistake. You won’t know all of the legal factors about your case, and you may be missing out on potential benefits that you could receive with the help of an auto injury attorney.
Exchange Contact Information
If possible, collect all of the necessary contact information that is needed to carry out later decisions. You will want to get the names and numbers of the driver and all passengers, the make, model, number of the car, the name of their insurance carrier, and the carrier’s policy number. The police will be collecting this information anyway. However, it’s still crucial that you do as well because it will help ensure the report’s accuracy and prevent any delays that may change the perception of what occurred during the accident.
The biggest reason to get an attorney involved is so you can know when you should be and should not be relaying information. Although safety is the priority in responding to car accidents, insurance companies are still businesses, and they want to provide their clients with the best possible outcomes. For this reason, be careful who you speak with and ask your attorney how to approach conversations in ways that will result in more benefits for you. To gather as much support as possible, start with your attorney.