I was recently involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, since it was my first accident, I was scatter-brained and anxious. What I did not realize at the time was that the actions you take immediately after the accident can affect a personal injury case and the outcome of that case. I wanted to find a way to share my experiences and mistakes with other. Since the Internet is so popular, I figured this would be a great way to do so. While you likely aren't planning on being in an accident soon, if you are, hopefully you remember some of the tips I share on this website.
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The Do's and Don'ts After a Car Accident
3 Things You Can Do To Protect Yourself From A Car Accident Lawsuit
Yvonne Russell
Getting in a car accident can be very scary and very serious. Although you may initially be worried about the safety of everyone in the accident, later you might be worried about being sued by the other party. Lawsuits are very common, especially for car accidents, which is why it is so important that you know what to do to protect yourself. Here are a couple things you should do to protect yourself if you are in a car accident.
1. Call The Police
An official police record can be a great resource to you if you are sued. If you don't have official records it could be a "he said, she said" battle. You might claim that the accident happened a certain way, while they claim another. With a police report, it is an official document that will state what happened in the accident, and it will be harder to dispute.
The police will also take statements from any eyewitnesses. This will help in the case that you are sued to determine what really happened.
2. Don't Assume The Best
Although it would be nice if every person were completely trustworthy, you shouldn't assume that the other party has your best interest at heart. Don't avoid calling the police, taking pictures, and so forth because you think the person isn't going to sue you. They might have had intentions not to sue you, but then when they saw their medical bills came after you.
Thus, you should assume the worst when you are in a car accident. Protect yourself as if you know that a lawsuit is inevitable, then if a lawsuit does happen you are ready for it.
3. Get Liability Coverage
Although this is not something you can do in the moment, it is something that every person should do to prepare for a lawsuit. Your insurance company will offer you personal liability coverage. This means that if you are sued, they will help to cover some of the costs. You will generally have to choose a certain amount that you want for personal liability coverage. Once the cap is reached, you will be on the hook. But at least you have some help if you are found to be responsible for the accident and need to pay for the repairs of the car and the individuals medical expenses.
These are just a couple of the things that you should do to protect yourself in the case of a car accident. For further assistance, contact a local personal injury lawyer, such as one from Kirkpatrick & Zeitz.
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