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
Injured In An Auto Accident? Don't Make One Of These Mistakes
Yvonne Russell
Being involved in a car accident can be quite devastating. You are forced to deal with a whole host of different issues all at one time. From the car repairs to your medical appointments, you are probably going in a million directions at once. While being injured in an accident is one thing, you don't want to short yourself on the compensation you deserve. To make sure your claim is handled properly, don't make one of these costly mistakes.
Not having pictures of the accident.
While you might not think the damage is all that bad after the accident, crashes can cause more problems than what you think when first looking at the vehicle. To make sure your records are accurate, take pictures of the odometer, the exterior of the vehicle from all sides, air bag and the scene of the crash. Show the photos to the adjuster to help them calculate the extent of the damage.
Pictures will back up your claim as to what happened and how bad the accident was. If the air bag deployed and you take a picture of it, you can show the adjuster just how bad the impact was and the damage it caused. Odometer readings will ensure the mileage is accurate when dealing with the insurance company on a settlement.
Not getting medical treatment right away.
Regardless of whether the crash was just a minor fender bender or not, you need to get into the doctor's office and get checked out. Oftentimes, injuries after an accident don't come to light until days after the accident occurred. Waiting weeks before going in to the doctor because of your injuries isn't going to help your claim. Ask the doctor for a medical exam right away after being in an accident. Doctors might end up discovering injuries you didn't know existed.
Not contacting your insurance company.
Depending on your insurance company, some require that you file an accident claim within a certain amount of time for them to pay on it. If you don't contact the insurance company within that time, it can cause them to kick the claim out and not pay for your medical bills or car repairs.
Accidents cause a number of problems for individuals. However, you can get through the whole ordeal and get the compensation you deserve by following a few simple steps to make sure the insurance company doesn't try to skip out on paying you. For more information, contact an auto accident attorney (such as Carl L. Britt, Jr.).
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