Millions of car crashes occur across the country every year. If you have been involved in a crash, you need to know what to do to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
If you have been in a car accident, you have suffered damages. You can pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible party to recover compensation for your damages.
Here are a few tips regarding what to do when in a car accident:
- Always stay on the scene of the accident. You will want to call the police and make sure an accident report is filed.
- State only the facts to the officer. Don’t state opinions. You want the report to be factual.
- Get photos of the accident scene if you are physically able to do so. These photos can help show point of impact and help determine who was at fault.
- Take photos of the damages and get them from all angles.
- Keep documentation. Keep copies of any towing bills or rental car receipts.
- Get a written estimate for repairing all damages. Make sure it is itemized and detailed.
- Establish medical care. Some injuries aren’t obvious right away. Instead, you should always be checked by a medical professional.
- Maintain thorough documentation including your medical bills, medical records, and proof of missed work and lost wages.
Claiming Your Damages
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you have suffered a variety of damages. You will want to gather all your documentation so you can show your damages from the accident. Here are the most commonly claimed damages from a car crash:
- Medical expenses – past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages – past and future
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
You can only file one personal injury claim, so you will want to make sure that you include all your damages in that claim. Your personal injury lawyer will help you determine your losses and gather supporting documentation for your claim.
You should maintain thorough documentation to support your claim. Here are some documents that can be used as evidence and help you recover compensation for your losses:
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Damage repair estimates
- Tow bills
- Rental car receipts
- Proof of missed work and lost wages
With A Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident, you should enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer.
With the help of an attorney, you will be much more likely to recoup compensation for your damages.
You don’t have to worry about upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses. Instead, accident injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means your lawyer will not get paid until your case has been won and you are awarded compensation for your losses through a judgement or settlement.
There is a strict statute of limitations, or a time limit, for pursuing a personal injury claim after a car crash. Schedule your free case review today because time is of the essence.
