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Getting into a car accident is a scary and stressful situation. The aftermath can be overwhelming. Yet it is crucial to remember the important things that need to be done following a car accident. Listed below are a few helpful tips that you should do after a car accident.
First of all, leaving the scene of an accident is never recommended. Both drivers are required to stay until the police arrive to take their statements. While waiting for the police, drivers need to block off the area as best they can. The two most common options are leaving the cars’ flashers on and using flares to direct other drivers away from the accident. It never hurts to have a flashlight available in case a car’s lights aren’t operational.
If there are damages to one or both cars, pictures of the damage should be taken. However, care should be taken when capturing these pictures. No personal information should be revealed in pictures. And while drivers need to know each other’s contact information, there is no need to allow photos of one’s driver’s license to be taken.
Once the police do arrive all of their questions need to be answered honestly and thoroughly. Leaving out any information can cast suspicion if the accident results in legal action. Any potential injuries should be brought to the attention of the police. It is never a good idea to deny having any injuries when some may not appear until hours later.
Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid declaring guilt. This is something that will be decided later on, by a judge. No one involved in an accident should admit that it was their fault.
Immediately following a car accident, the appropriate form needs to be filled out. What the form asks for will vary from one state to the next. In many states, drivers involved in an accident are required to let the insurance company know about. It is best to say no if the other driver suggests handling the accident on their own.
Any insurance company is going to need to know about a car accident as soon as possible. Ideally, it is best to call the insurance company while still at the accident site. Reporting what happened while it is still fresh in one’s mind will make the report more accurate. Many insurance policies cover the cost of any medical bills incurred from an accident. Any amount that it doesn’t cover is then transferred to the driver’s health insurance.
Yet often, insurance covering damages and medical bills isn’t enough. This is why car accidents can and do lead to large cash settlements for the victims. According to Justin Kimball of Preszler Law, the categories for auto accident injuries and their respective caps for eligible compensations are “minor,” $3.5k, “non-minor,” $50k, and “catastrophic,” $1 million. It is important to consult with an attorney when determining what category a particular case falls into. They will be able to obtain and share that information with their client. This is an important step in the process and one that should never be overlooked.
Submitting the medical records from accident-related injuries to a lawyer is a crucial step in the process. It gives them the information they need to ask for an appropriate settlement, based on the level of injuries incurred.
A lawyer will be able to organize the paperwork needed to show in court. The many technical aspects of a car accident can be confusing to the victim. An attorney is able to consult with technical experts that can help determine how much a case is worth in court.
The amount a case is worth varies from one to the next. Attorneys are trained to estimate how much a client can realistically expect to receive from an accident settlement. A good attorney will be upfront with his or her client when it comes to compensation. No matter how much compensation one can get, it is better to avoid settling too early. The ideal time to settle is after any injuries incurred have been fully treated. Before a victim is completely healed, it is impossible to know exactly how much money it will cost.
When the total damages have been calculated, an attorney can look at the case an objective manner and clear up any misconceptions. An accident attorney will know how to converse with the lawyers with the driver’s insurance company. They are a better line of defense than an uninformed client would be. It is the goal of an accident attorney to get their client as much money as they can in the settlement.
A car accident is to be avoided at all costs. When it can’t be avoided, the correct steps need to be taken. Following the steps as closely as possible is an important part of the process. While reporting it is the first step, the subsequent steps are just as important. Skipping even one of them can interfere with any legal claims made. Consulting with police and a lawyer is the best way to properly handle the aftermath of a car accident.
