In the United States alone, around 4.4 million people per year are injured in car accidents. This only includes the number of people who seek medical attention, which many people will not do.
If you’re one of these people, you should know that you may be entitled to compensation for being involved in a car crash that wasn’t your fault. If you want to claim this compensation, you need to follow some specific steps. In this guide, we’re going to show you exactly what you need to do to claim compensation and win a personal injury case.
Are you ready to learn more about what you need to do in the aftermath of a car accident? Then let’s begin!
1. Create a Police Report at the Crash
You should call emergency services if you’re in a car accident. While your injury may not be severe enough to warrant an ambulance, you need the police at the scene right away.
The police can create a report at the scene of the crash, which may be able to corroborate your argument if your case goes to court.
The police will interview you and any other parties that were involved in the accident, examine the vehicles and the crash site, and will then make a preliminary judgment about who was at fault in the crash.
While specific reporting requirements vary from state to state, having a police report can save you a great deal of trouble later on, so make sure to call the police if you’ve been in an accident.
2. Speak to Witnesses if Possible
If you’re not too badly injured, you should seek out any witnesses that have seen the crash. You should ask them for their contact information and either write it down or save it on your phone.
This way, if your case ends up in court, you can call upon the witnesses to testify that you were not at fault.
3. Seek Medical Attention
Whether your injuries are minor or severe, you should seek medical attention. Injuries can worsen over time and cause more severe issues, so head straight to your doctor or a hospital and have your injuries taken care of.
You should make sure to describe your injuries and symptoms in detail, as doing this will flesh out the medical report, and you can use this as evidence in a lawsuit.
It’s also worth noting that the longer you go without seeing a medical professional, the more difficulty you will have in making an insurance claim, as they may argue that, were you really injured, you would have gone right away. Make it a priority.
Even if you do not have any apparent injuries after the car crash, you should still seek medical attention. Certain injuries, such as internal bleeding, are difficult for the untrained eye to spot but can still cause severe issues.
4. Don’t Give Statements to Any Insurance Companies
Giving statements to an insurance company seems like a no-brainer, whether it’s your own or the other driver’s. However, this can come back to bite you later on.
Insurance companies, like any business, want to keep costs down, so they’ll try hard to avoid paying you any compensation. If you say the wrong thing in your statement, they will try to use it against you later on.
If you want to get the most compensation that you can, you’ll need to have a lawyer on your side.
5. Hire an Attorney
Now that you’ve received medical treatment, it’s time to seek out legal assistance. You should seek out experienced attorneys with a background in personal injury law, as they will be best equipped to help you in your case.
Your attorney will be able to help you out every step of the way. They will be able to help you get the insurance payout you need to repair your vehicle, seek injury compensation, and even help you find replacement transport while you’re waiting for your vehicle to be fixed.
Your lawyer will also be able to negotiate with the insurance companies for you so that you don’t need to run that particular gauntlet. Of course, an attorney will also be able to represent you in court should it come to that.
6. Keep Track of Everything That Happens
You should keep a diary of everything that happens following the accident, including any medical treatment that you need, any expenses that you have to pay, and any pain that you experience as a result of your injury. Make sure that you attend every medical treatment session, too, as otherwise you may have difficulty proving lasting injury.
Having this recorded will help you fight for your compensation and will help you in court, should it come to that.
7. Be Prepared to Go to Court
Going to court can be an overwhelming experience for some people. Yet if you want to claim your compensation, you may need to file a lawsuit and fight your case.
If this happens, your attorney will be with you every step of the way and can explain the legal processes that are happening. Don’t shy away at this last step: you’re entitled to compensation, now you just need to prove it, and every other step that we’ve mentioned thus far will help you do just that.
Claiming Compensation After a Car Crash
If you’ve been in a car crash that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. Yet you won’t receive the full amount that you are entitled to without a lawyer.
Our personal injury lawyers in Watertown can help you fight your case, seek compensation for medical and repair costs, and more. If you’ve been in an accident and are ready to start seeking compensation, contact us today.