Car accidents can be life-changing; with the trauma, pain, and suffering also comes huge expenses. Being involved in such a situation can be extremely stressful, and you can find yourself saddled with bills and expenses. Working with the insurance company and getting fair compensation for the damages you sustained can be a somewhat difficult task. Typically, the compensation victims of car accidents are entitled to include medical costs, property damage, lost wages, as well as the cost of pain and suffering. Nonetheless, each case is unique and requires specific compensation. To make sure you can easily obtain fair compensation after a serious car accident, here are some tips you should follow.
1. Conduct A Thorough Investigation
You should make sure not to leave the scene of the accident unattended unless you’re hurt or injured. Be sure to call the proper authorities and let them know about the accident. Wait for them to get there and do an inspection.
Gather enough information for the insurance’s investigation, but try not to get in the others’ way. Get contact numbers of people involved in the accident since this is all significant information and will help your case. Take photographs of the scene of the accident to have further proof. However, be cautious when talking to other people about the accident or mentioning your fault in it, as it can incriminate evidence and would prove to be bad for your case.
2. Gather Witnesses Statements
Witness accounts of the accidents can be significant for your case buildup, therefore, try to get the contact numbers of eyewitnesses and ask about their accounts of the incident. Plus, look for visual witnesses or clues, like videos caught on phones or security cameras that might have captured the event on film.
3. Get Medical Treatment
In case of an extreme car accident, an ambulance will escort you to a hospital to get immediate medical attention. However, if it is a minor accident, you might skip getting medical treatment in a rush or carelessness- this is always a mistake! For car accident compensation, a major proof of the accident is in the form of treated injuries. Your medical record is a vital piece of evidence for your overall case. Moreover, serious medical injuries are not necessarily external. Internal injuries after accidents don’t show symptoms for hours, days, or even months. So, it is important that you get checked after even a minor car accident.
4. Talk To An Attorney
You can hire an attorney to improve your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. Otherwise, your insurance company or the insurance company of the person at fault might try to get themselves off the hook and pay you as little money as they can. That is why it is important that you speak to an attorney first before engaging in negotiations with insurance adjusters. The Tennesse-based professionals at Davis firm suggest that the first thing you should do before talking to your insurance company is getting an attorney’s advice. That way, you can avoid getting far less compensation than what you fairly deserve, which will leave you at a significant loss.
5. Keep A Record Of Your Bills
You need to collect enough proof to get adequate compensation for your financial and medical expenses. The more proof you have, the better it will be for your case. From the moment you start spending because of the accident, keep all your bills and records with you. Be it medical records, financial statements, car repair fees, and any other type of fees incurred due to the accident that you’re eligible for.
Plus, if your damaged car or injuries prevent you from going to your job, or doing your job, either temporarily or permanently, obtain your payroll information showing how much exactly you have lost because of it. Moreover, any household modifications as a result of your injuries such as installation of a wheelchair ramp, and others, are also included in your accident compensation so keep the receipts of those as well.
6. Keep A Record Of Injury And Recovery
A car accident is not just physical misery, it’s also a mental trauma. In addition, the recovery process takes quite a lot of time and effort. When insurance companies compensate for your losses, they do not take into account what you have been through mentally and merely look at the physical injuries then pay accordingly. Therefore, it is suggested that you keep a record of not just your physical injuries but also your emotional and mental state. This will make your case more presentable, and you’ll be able to get compensated fairly.
Car accidents are indeed terrible events, and the added worry of not being compensated properly can make the situation much more stressful. So, make sure to follow these tips, and get in contact with an attorney as soon as you can to make the entire process much easier.
