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How to Hire a Car Accident Attorney
Car accidents can result in a number of losses including medical expenses, loss of income from missed work, and severe physical injuries such as permanent impairment or disfigurement. A good attorney can make sure you are compensated for these losses.
Always seek immediate medical attention even if you feel your injuries are minor. This will allow a physician to fully examine your injuries and ensure that all of your medical expenses are covered. Contact Car Accident Attorney Rockville now!
One of the most important things you can do for your car accident case is to gather and provide your attorney with all the documentation they need to get started. This can include medical bills, insurance policies, employment and loss of income information, and any other relevant documents.
Photographic evidence is also a key piece of proof. If you are able, take photos of the scene of the accident from various angles and distances to capture all relevant details of the crash. This can include skid marks, damage to both vehicles, and any injuries sustained. You should also always try to seek medical attention immediately after the accident, even if the injuries seem minor. This is because any injury you sustain could worsen or turn into a chronic issue later on, which can bolster your argument for compensation.
Finally, make sure you keep copies of all your medical records and bills, especially the ones related to the crash. Your attorney will need these to establish the severity of your injuries and how they have impacted your life, such as a decreased quality of life or an inability to do certain tasks. In addition, you should maintain a pain journal to document your injuries and how they impact your day-to-day activities. There are many apps that can help with this process, so make sure to use them.
Other pieces of evidence your attorney will need are copies of your insurance policy and any other documents that verify that you have been making your premium payments on time, such as bank statements or receipts. Providing this information can help your attorney establish that you were covered at the time of the crash, which can increase your chances of a successful claim or lawsuit.
Talk to the Other Driver
A car accident attorney is a good choice if you have been injured and need to file an insurance claim. However, before you choose one, it is important to understand how an attorney will communicate with you during the case. This includes how often they will update you on the status of your claim and how involved they expect you to be in the process. An effective attorney will be able to clearly explain the legal process and your options in a way that you can understand.
Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to talk to the other driver after a car accident. It may be tempting to try to reassure the other person that you are fine or that your injuries are minor, but this could backfire in the long run. The other driver’s insurance company will likely use your comments against you in order to settle the claim for as little as possible.
You should only talk to the other driver if necessary for exchanging information and ensuring everyone’s safety. You should never admit fault or get into an argument with the other driver. If you are feeling threatened, call law enforcement immediately.
It is not uncommon for the at-fault driver to request that you do not contact your insurance company and try to negotiate a settlement directly. This is typically a sign that they are worried about an increase in their insurance rates and are trying to avoid this by attempting to work things out with you off the record. However, avoiding the insurance company will likely end up costing you in the long run if you have serious injury or significant damage to your vehicle.
Contact the Police
When you are in a car accident, the first thing that you must do is call the police. This is especially important in cases where someone is injured or when the damage caused exceeds a certain amount. Even if the injuries and damages seem minimal, it is best to have the incident documented by the police so that an accurate account of what happened can be created later on.
Moreover, having a police report can also be helpful if there is any sort of dispute about what happened in the future. Even if the other driver seemed friendly and cooperative at the scene, he or she may try to deny responsibility for the accident later on. The police report will serve as a record of what occurred and will help to determine the cause of the accident.
It is not always necessary to contact the police after a car accident, however. Whether or not you need to do so depends on the extent of the damage, whether anyone is injured, and the actions of the other driver. In general, if the damage is minimal and no one is hurt, it will be more practical to just exchange insurance information with the other driver and file a report at a later time, such as when you go to file your insurance claim.
In most cases, you should be able to get a copy of your police report for free, although there are some instances where you will need to pay a fee to receive a report. The NYPD has an online portal where you can request a police report, and you can also access the reports through the department of motor vehicles.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After a car accident, you must immediately report the crash to your insurance company. This will allow the insurance company to investigate and potentially file a claim against the at-fault driver or you if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
When reporting the accident to your insurer, it is important to avoid admitting guilt or accepting blame for the crash. You should also be very careful not to volunteer any information that could be used against you in the future. The negligent driver’s insurance representative may contact you shortly after the accident to ask questions, and it is important that you do not say anything to them that could hurt your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
You should also be sure to get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw your crash happen. Witness statements can be extremely helpful in proving the fault of another driver, as they can provide concrete evidence of how the accident happened. If you are unable to talk with any witnesses on the scene of your crash, it is best to reach out to them as soon as possible so that they have time to write down their memories while they are still fresh.
After the insurance company has a chance to investigate the crash, they will issue a resolution that will specify whether they accept or deny your claims and how much money they will pay you for your losses. If you find that the insurance company is not acting in good faith and is refusing to give you a reasonable offer for your damages, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit against them for bad faith.
Contact an Attorney
While it is possible to represent yourself, hiring an attorney will put you in a much better position to get the compensation you deserve after a car accident. A lawyer can handle all communication with insurance companies, prevent you from accidentally compromising your case (such as by admitting fault or accepting a low settlement offer) and help you build the strongest possible case.
Immediately following a crash, you should prioritize your safety, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic and call 911. You should also see a doctor as soon as possible to have your injuries documented, evaluated and treated. This will be beneficial for both your health and the strength of your claim, as it establishes causation, which is necessary in personal injury cases.
Your lawyer will review all of the evidence in your case and determine how severe your injuries are and what type of compensation you may be eligible to receive for them. They will ask detailed questions about your injuries and how they will impact you in the future, such as if you will have any long-term effects or limitations. They will also investigate the insurance policies of the driver who caused your crash to see what their coverage limits are and whether or not you might be able to use your own insurance to pay for any damages.
A lawyer can also calculate your losses and expenses, including non-economic damages like emotional pain and suffering. While no amount of money can make up for the trauma you have experienced after a car accident, it can help ease the financial burden and give you peace of mind. A good car accident lawyer will review your case for free during an initial consultation, and most will work on a contingency fee basis so you don’t have to worry about the cost upfront.