First Steps to Protect Your Auto Accident Claims
To protect your rights after an auto accident, there are a number of things you should do even if you have not yet hired an attorney. At a minimum, you should obtain as much information as you can regarding the accident including collecting police reports, witness statements, witness names and insurance information on all drivers involved in the accident.
You should not give statements to any representative of an insurance company, either written or verbal, without first speaking with an attorney. These statements can and will later be used against you if possible.
If you are injured, then you must document your injuries in order to recover damages for those injuries. It is important to do this from the beginning. In case of a serious auto accident, injured persons are transported to the hospital by ambulance. This will provide a good record of your injuries. However, many injuries are not apparent right away or do not justify ambulance transport. If the injuries become apparent later as neck and back injuries often do, then seek medical attention as soon as possible. If there are visible injuries but you did not get transported by ambulance for whatever reason, take pictures of your injuries immediately. If the injuries worsen, take pictures again. Careful documentation of your injuries will go a long way toward recovery of your damages.
In addition to documenting your injuries, you must also prove liability. This means that you must show that the other party was at fault, at least partially, for the auto accident in order to recover against his or her insurance. Police reports are often very helpful in identifying fault for the accident. However, police reports are often hastily written or for a number of reasons may not clearly identify fault. Witness statements are often critical in these cases if and when the insurance company disputes liability. As such, you or someone on your behalf if you are not able should obtain the names, numbers and addresses of witnesses. If possible, they should give written statements to either you or the police. These statements may go a long way in discouraging an insurance company from disputing liability. In cases of disputed fault, an insurance company will be much more reluctant to settle your claims.
In cases of serious incapacitating injuries, you may not be able to do this. If you are unable take these steps yourself to protect your claims, then you or a loved one should contact an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible.
You should not give statements to any representative of an insurance company, either written or verbal, without first speaking with an attorney. These statements can and will later be used against you if possible.
If you are injured, then you must document your injuries in order to recover damages for those injuries. It is important to do this from the beginning. In case of a serious auto accident, injured persons are transported to the hospital by ambulance. This will provide a good record of your injuries. However, many injuries are not apparent right away or do not justify ambulance transport. If the injuries become apparent later as neck and back injuries often do, then seek medical attention as soon as possible. If there are visible injuries but you did not get transported by ambulance for whatever reason, take pictures of your injuries immediately. If the injuries worsen, take pictures again. Careful documentation of your injuries will go a long way toward recovery of your damages.
In addition to documenting your injuries, you must also prove liability. This means that you must show that the other party was at fault, at least partially, for the auto accident in order to recover against his or her insurance. Police reports are often very helpful in identifying fault for the accident. However, police reports are often hastily written or for a number of reasons may not clearly identify fault. Witness statements are often critical in these cases if and when the insurance company disputes liability. As such, you or someone on your behalf if you are not able should obtain the names, numbers and addresses of witnesses. If possible, they should give written statements to either you or the police. These statements may go a long way in discouraging an insurance company from disputing liability. In cases of disputed fault, an insurance company will be much more reluctant to settle your claims.
In cases of serious incapacitating injuries, you may not be able to do this. If you are unable take these steps yourself to protect your claims, then you or a loved one should contact an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible.
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