Conduct a Complete Investigation
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be tricky. Many accident victims have trouble getting the insurance company to settle their claims for a fair amount. They end up with lowball offers. You don’t have to be in the same boat, though. That’s why we are sharing secrets that motorists should know in case they are ever involved in an accident. The first secret to settling your car accident injury claim we will uncover is to conduct a complete investigation.
What do we mean by investigation? We are referring to gathering all the facts relating to a case and how these facts can contribute to serious injuries. For the most part, the investigation involves things you can do on your own to secure your rights to compensation. The right documentation can make or break your case, so be prepared.
Gather Documents
If there were witnesses who saw the accident, get their names and contact information. These people can help prove your case. If you suffered injuries, make sure you seek medical help immediately after the accident and get copies of your medical records.
Don’t forget to get the police involved. The facts surrounding the accident can be forgotten just days later. With a police report, you have documentation of what happened, what injuries were sustained and who the police officer thinks is at fault. This is important information for your claim, and having a police report can speed up the claims process.
Take Notes
Take notes on everything that happened at the accident before, during and after the accident. Write down the time, date and location of the crash. Take note of vehicle damage and other property damage. Take note of your injuries and how you are feeling. What is your level of pain?
Note the weather conditions and possible causes of the crash. For example, did the other driver run a red light before the crash occurred? Could surveillance video from a nearby business be used to assess the crash?
The more details you can provide, the better. Remember, the other party is taking notes and collecting information about you. If you don’t do the same, you risk losing your case.
Next Steps
This should be sufficient documentation, but if your insurance company needs any other documentation, provide it to them if you can. If your accident was complex, you may want to consider hiring a lawyer. You may need to talk to a lawyer about hiring a crash reconstruction expert. An expert can examine the crash site and look for physical evidence as well as determine how the crash occurred.
A lawyer can also help you in other ways, such as by dealing with your insurance company and helping you obtain medical records. Ultimately, a lawyer can act as one of your best advocates when moving forward in your case in pursuit of the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and other damages.
Read about the other secrets:
- Conduct a complete investigation.
- Get photographs of all important elements in your case.
- Don’t release your medical records to the other party’s insurance company.
- Get the insurance company to set up a high reserve account.
- Keep the adjuster informed about the seriousness of your injuries.
- Don’t let the insurance adjuster pressure you into settling your case.
- Keep a day-by-day diary of your injuries.
- Know all your damages.
- Keep all bills and receipts related to your accident.
- Know all your injuries.
- Know your sources for insurance coverage.
- Stay under your doctor’s care until your doctor releases you.
- File your lawsuit right away.
- Ask a qualified trial lawyer to evaluate your case.
- If you decide to hire a lawyer, choose a trial attorney who isn’t afraid to go to court.