When you are involved in an auto accident, you should notify the police right away. Even if it is a minor crash, you need to make sure that the accident report is completed. An accident report completed by law enforcement can protect you in many ways.
When an officer comes to the accident scene, he or she can physically see the damage to the vehicles and any other property and note that in the accident report. They can also make note of any injuries.
This report can be beneficial in many ways. The other party might allege worse damages after the fact, but the accident report will show the point of impact. A preliminary investigation will also determine fault and explain how the crash occurred.
When You Suffer Damage and Injuries
When you suffer damages and injuries, you will want to recover compensation to cover your losses. To pursue a claim, you will need to prove what happened and how it happened as well as the damages that you suffered.
With an accident report, you have supporting evidence to show that the accident did occur and who was involved. If you don’t file that report right away, the story surrounding what happened could change, memories might fail, and the damages could vary.
As an example, you might be involved in a crash in which the other driver suffered a scrape to the left rear fender. But, later they back into a pole and damage the rear of the vehicle. They might allege that damage occurred in the accident as well and try to get your insurance to cover the costs of those repairs.
Retaining Documentation To Support Your Claim
You will need to maintain documentation in support of your claim. This means you will need to get a copy of the accident report and maintain copies of medical bills, medical records, prescription records and receipts, and receipts for any medical devices.
You should document any missed work and lost wages. Take photos of any damages and get written repair estimates for fixing your vehicle. Keep copies of any rental car receipts and tow bills as well.
You will need to show your losses or damages, so you can ask to be reimbursed for those losses through the personal injury claim. Your personal injury attorney will review all the documentation and compile your file to support your accident injury claim.
Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer
You should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an auto accident. Every state has its own statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim, so if you wait too long you cannot recover compensation for your damages.
You want a lawyer who is licensed in your state, so he or she is familiar with the state laws regarding auto accident claims. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form so an attorney in your area can review your personal injury claim details.
