After a car accident, money isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, getting properly compensated would help with paying to fix material damages and your medical costs. If you simply take up the offer of your insurance company, it probably wouldn’t be enough to cover even half of it. So how do you get all that you’re owed? The process could be lengthy and complicated, so you need all the advice you can get and all the evidence you can collect. And here is how to do just that.
Document the Place of the Accident
Fresh evidence is the best evidence. And there is no fresher piece of evidence than the one collected directly at the scene of the accident. When the accident happens, you need to try to stay calm and collected. Try to remember or document everything you can. Take pictures, remember license plates, and take a good look at the surroundings. Talk to witnesses and take their personal information. You will need all of that evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence and give strength to your claims.
Hire a Lawyer
When the accident happens, you are left all alone to go through the aftermath. If you suffered a personal injury, no matter how serious it is, you have the right to hire a personal injury attorney. They will notify you about everything you need to know related to your case. Also, they will serve as your personal advisor and negotiator through the whole process. An experienced attorney will know what should be done to get the best deal possible, including going to the court with your case.
Get Medical Attention
Besides medical records being top-class evidence, calling an ambulance right away will maintain your well-being. There may be some injuries that you can’t notice right away, but that could prove dangerous if untreated. The doctor’s report right after the injury is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence you can get. The seriousness of your injuries will play a part in your case, but they will not be the determining factor. Even if they are light, you still have the right to pursue the case legally.
Don’t Release Your Medical Records to Anyone
One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they give their medical records to the insurance company of the other driver. They will do everything they can to use them against you. For example, if you had previous medical issues, the legal team of the other driver could use that information to undermine the problems that you are dealing with as a consequence of the accident. This can reverse the outcome of the case, and you could get less than you deserve as the result.
Estimate the Damages
Before you pursue your case, it is important to do your research. Find all the damages that are the result of the accident. After that, hire a professional team that will help you determine their value. Consequences to your mental health, like PTSD, should be diagnosed by a professional therapist. Material damage also comes into play. Take your car to your mechanic and let them help you determine how much the damages will cost you. This will all come into play when it comes to determining the compensation you’ll get.
Keep All the Bills
Keeping all bills and receipts will strengthen your claims and get you a better deal. They will serve as the proof of the damages, both material and physical. The more of them you have, the more likely are you to get a bigger compensation. Medical bills are usually the most costly, so make sure to take out copies of all of them. You will probably be charged at every single step of your recovery, so make sure to keep even the smallest of receipts. That way, it will be easier to prove all of your claims.
Timing Is Everything!
Don’t wait too long to start working on your compensation case. In fact, you shouldn’t wait at all. After an accident, try to collect as much evidence as you can get. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that some of the evidence will be ruined. You should stay calm, collected, and thorough. Keep every piece of paperwork, consult a professional attorney, and don’t settle for less than you deserve. You should look for an attorney in the days following the accident so that you can figure out the right strategy on time.
Things like these, especially if you decide to go to court, take a lot of time. You need to arm yourself with patience and trust the process. Also, get an attorney who is experienced and knows which steps to take at every stage of the aftermath of the accident. Hold your ground and work on getting all that you’re due.
