People get into car accidents every day, as it is one of the most prevalent types of personal injury accidents that happen. Vehicle collisions do so much more than just inconvenience someone for the moment, and can lead to serious injury and wage loss if someone has to stay home to take care of themselves. There are so many do’s and don’ts when it comes to handling the aftermath of a car accident. Those who have been injured may understandably be overwhelmed at the new physical and financial challenges that they face. For this reason, many people consult with a lawyer so that they have someone to advocate for them during such a difficult time and ensure that they get a fair settlement for what they have endured. Here are some more tips on how to effectively deal with a car accident so that you do not experience more loss or hardship than the situation warrants.
Call The Police Immediately
For any and all car accidents, police should be called. An officer can arrive at the scene and write a report for what happened, including factual information and contributing factors. Be sure to tell the officer what you saw in your perspective when the collision occurred. You can then obtain a copy of this report at your local law enforcement office. This document can be helpful if you decide to take legal action against the at fault driver with support from a car accident lawyer. Keep in mind that in some places, if no one is obviously hurt, an officer may not come to the scene. But it’s better to have called and done your due diligence than to not have contacted law enforcement at all.
Always Get A Medical Exam
Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured from the accident, it’s possible that you are. Many people report not feeling injury in the moments after a car accident, but then suddenly signs and symptoms of injury become present in the days afterward. But that’s why it is so important that you get a medical examination as soon as the same day of the accident. Your doctor will know what types of injuries to look out for and may run diagnostics to see if there’s any internal damage that needs to be treated. As our friends at Cohen & Cohen would agree with, by getting a medical exam, you also will have begun a paper trail that documents your injuries, which can be very useful in your claim. These documents can be influential in showing to what degree you were physically impacted because of the collision.
Speaking With A Lawyer
There are so many people who get hurt in car accidents but then do not hire a lawyer for help. While it is possible that you can deal with everything yourself without help from a lawyer, the presence of a legal professional can make a difference in how your claim is handled. Insurance companies and opposing parties often become more cooperative when they know that a lawyer is representing a client. If you were seriously hurt or faced financial setbacks because of a car accident that was someone else’s fault, it’s wise to consider speaking with a lawyer near you for assistance. Your lawyer can make sure that you get a fair settlement award based on what you experienced.