Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Car accident attorneys negotiate with insurance companies in order to secure compensation for damages and losses. They can also help you explore other sources of compensation, such as uninsured motorist coverage.
If you've been involved in a car accident, it's important to take the following steps to ensure safety by calling 911, checking for injuries and recording the scene. Exchange information about contact details and insurance policy numbers with other parties, and request witnesses' statements.
Don't Admit Fault
If you admit to fault even a small percentage of it, to an insurance company, it could damage your car accident case. The insurance company will twist your words and use them against you to reduce the amount of your settlement, or argue that your injuries aren't related to the crash. Make sure you are safe and seek medical attention after an accident before you make any statements.
When police arrive at the scene of a crash They will ask you questions about how the accident took place and assess the damage to your vehicle and the other driver's vehicle. Answer these questions with honesty and only give details about how the accident happened. Do not attempt to explain what caused the accident or make any assertions that could be interpreted as an admission of blame.
Following a car crash is reported, you must contact the authorities to request an official police report or car crash report. This will help document the incident and permit an investigation to determine what led to the accident. It's also important to exchange information with all parties involved including their name, address, phone number and insurance policy number. license plate number and insurance information. Photograph any injuries that you may suffer, the accident scene and any damage to your vehicle or any other vehicles.
The no-fault insurance policy covers your financial losses, including medical costs and lost wages up to $50,000 per individual. However, it doesn't cover non-economic damages like suffering and pain that's why it's essential to consult an attorney whenever you can.
Your lawyer can help you understand the coverage and exclusions of no fault insurance to ensure that you receive compensation for your losses. They will also inform you if the party at fault may be liable for the non-economic damages you suffered if the extent of your injuries surpasses the threshold of serious injury set by the state.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Company
You may get a phone call from the insurance company of the other driver following a car accident. No matter if they're being courteous or not their representatives are searching for anything they can use to deny or diminish your claim. They will try to get you to admit fault or to say something that gives them an excuse to blame you for the crash.
They may also ask you to sign a recorded declaration. These are typically scrutinized by lawyers to identify contradictions or inconsistencies. They may use these against you during trial. You might not even be aware you've made a mistake that could harm your case until months have passed and the insurance company begins digging up all your previous statements.
You should not speak to the insurance company until you've talked to your lawyer about the matter. Even if it is clear the other driver was the one to blame, you should still let your attorney handle the communication with the insurance company. This will ensure that your rights are protected.
It's recommended to not discuss the incident with anyone else. This includes family members as well as friends and colleagues. It is easy to make a statement that could harm your case. Even even if the information shared isn't directly connected to the crash, it could damage your credibility and undermine your case.
If you must talk to people, make sure that you only give the insurance company the information they need. Include the names, contact numbers and insurance policy numbers for all witnesses to the accident. Additionally Pearland accident lawyers shouldn't discuss your injuries with them. This is not only foolish but could also cause further harm to your health and slow your recovery.
It is crucial to consult a doctor right away when you've been injured in a vehicle accident. This will not only ensure your injuries are properly documented, but it will assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation for the damages you sustained. This includes future medical costs and pain, suffering and diminished life quality. Our skilled attorneys will review your case to determine what types of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
If you've been injured in a crash the last thing you want to think about on your mind is running after insurance companies and filling out paperwork. When you visit the doctor with aches and discomforts it's easy to get distracted by the forms and paperwork that insurance adjusters and company representatives offer you.
These documents typically ask you to sign an authorization release that allows them access to your medical records throughout your life. This permits them to dig through your personal information before doctors determine the full scope of your injuries, and they may attempt to claim that your injuries weren't caused by the accident.
An experienced injury lawyer will scrutinize all documents sent by the insurance company you and ensure that they're accurate and complete. The lawyer can inform you if they're legitimate and how they may impact your case. In a lot of cases, insurance companies offer an instant settlement, and you'll be tempted to accept it.
If you hire a competent attorney in the event of a car crash they will handle all communication with the insurance company. They will also make sure you don't sign anything that may affect your case. They'll fight to ensure that you receive the most compensation for your injuries and losses.
You should not provide an oral or written statement to the insurance company because they are trained to get you to say something that could be used against you. They'll alter your words and use them to decrease the value of your claim or even deny it completely.
Insurance companies may try to trick you by claiming that you haven't declared all your expenses. This is illegal. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a collision to ensure that they will protect your rights and handle all correspondence with the insurance company.
Don't take pictures
If you're involved in an accident, it may be difficult to recall details of the scene. It is important to take photos using your phone to capture everything you see. You don't require a high-end camera to take photos of the scene, and you can even time stamp your pictures to stop the other party from attempting to argue that damage occurred following the collision.
Photograph the vehicles involved from different angles. This will allow your lawyer to establish the position of every vehicle when the accident occurred, and the severity of damages. If you can take photos of the vehicles from outside and inside, as well as the front and side. Make sure to take photos of any visible injuries that you or your passengers could have suffered.
Get the names and contact details of any witnesses you might see. Your attorney will need them to provide testimony should your case go to trial. It's not uncommon for the other driver's defense lawyer to claim that witnesses did not witness the crash, so it's essential to have their name and contact information on the file.
Don't share details of an accident on social media. You should not publish any information about your accident on social media. The other party or their insurance company may use it to prove against you, and argue that they did not cause the accident.