What To Do When You Have A Car Accident
No one plans to be in a car accident. If you do get into an accident, it’s easy to feel bewildered and unsure of what to do, particularly if you’ve never been in an accident before. Any injuries you may have will surely require your immediate focus. But there are steps you can take to ensure that you emerge from your ordeal with the best possible settlement.
Consider Prompt Medical Treatment If Injured
It’s important not to put off this step. Obviously if your injuries are severe, you will need immediate medical intervention to get you out of danger and start the healing process. But even seemingly minor injuries also require immediate medical attention and documentation. That’s because if you delay seeking a medical evaluation, it will become more difficult to prove that any injury you may have suffered is a result of your accident and not of something that happened afterward. Furthermore, the effects of an injury may not show up right away. If you start experiencing pain weeks or months down the road, X-rays or other diagnostic procedures can lend evidence that the root cause of your pain stems from injuries suffered in the accident.
Collect Evidence From The Scene
Photographic evidence of the accident site can help accident investigators recreate what happened. If you are able, take pictures of different angles of the accident scene yourself. You can also collect the photos or videos from witnesses who may have captured elements of your accident on their own cameras. You can even photograph or collect debris from the scene to be used as evidence.
Write Down How The Accident Has Affected You
Keep a daily journal of the ways in which your accident has affected your life. This can include elements such as:
- Photo of your injuries
- A tabulation of lost work hours
- Description of reduced mobility, pain or difficulty sleeping
This journal can serve as an important reminder of the assistance, large and small, that you may require as a result of your accident. If you are naturally inclined to downplay your injuries, it is understandable, but in this situation it won’t help you. The goal of a personal injury lawsuit is to secure the maximum compensation possible to help you pay for your medical care and other costs related to your injuries. By keeping a journal, you keep track of the effects of your injury that might otherwise slip through the cracks of memory if you try to keep the details in your head.
Navigate The Insurance Process
Make sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver. However, don’t talk to an insurance adjuster until you’ve spoken with a West Virginia personal injury attorney. When you do speak with the insurance company, don’t say too much: listen more than you speak.
Get Specific Advice From A Lawyer
If you’ve been in an accident near Huntington, call 304-247-9396 to speak with a lawyer from our firm, Duffield, Lovejoy & Boggs, Attorneys at Law. We can provide more specific information related to your accident during your free initial consultation. You can also get in touch with us via email.