Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Car accident attorneys work with insurance companies in order to secure compensation for damages and losses. They can also assist you to discover other options for compensation like uninsured motorist coverage.
If you've been involved in a car crash, it's important to take the following steps prioritizing safety by calling 911, examining for injuries and recording the scene. Exchange contact details, insurance policy numbers and witness statements with other parties.
Don't Admit Fault
You may lose your case if admit guilt to an insurance company even if it's an insignificant amount. Your insurer may twist your statements to deny the claim, or reduce the amount of your settlement or argue that your injuries weren't caused by the accident. You should always prioritize your safety and seek medical attention after a crash before giving any information to anyone else than the police or your doctor.
When police arrive at the scene of a car accident they will ask questions regarding how the accident occurred and will examine the damage to your vehicle and the other driver's vehicle. Answer these questions with honesty and only provide specifics about the circumstances of the crash. It is not necessary to explain what you think caused the accident or make any statements that could be considered to be an admission of guilt.
Following a car crash after a crash, you should call the authorities to request a police report or a report on the crash of your vehicle. This will record the incident and permit an investigation to determine what contributed to the accident. It's also important to exchange information with all parties involved including their name, address, phone number and insurance policy number. license plate number and insurance information. You should also take photos of your injuries, the scene of the accident and all damages sustained by your vehicle and others' vehicles.
The no-fault insurance program in New York will cover the cost of economic losses like medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 per person. However, it does not pay for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, which is why it's crucial to speak with a lawyer whenever you can.
Your lawyer will help you determine what is and isn't covered by no-fault insurance, in order you can be compensated for all of your losses. They can also advise you if the person at fault might be responsible for your non-economic damages when the extent of your injuries surpasses the threshold for serious injuries set by the state.
Don't talk to the Insurance Company
After a car accident after a car accident, you may be contacted by the other driver's insurance company. If they're courteous or not they are looking for anything they can use to deny or decrease your claim. They will try to convince you to you to admit to fault or offer a reason to give them a reason to blame you for the accident.
They may also ask you to sign a written statement. Lawyers will usually check the statements to determine if there are any inconsistencies. They can use these claims against you in court. You might not be aware that you've made a statement that could hurt your case until the insurance company begins investigating your previous statements.
It is not advisable to contact the insurance company prior to consulting with your lawyer. Even if it appears obvious that the other driver was at fault, let your lawyer handle the communication with the insurance company. This will ensure your rights are secured.
Avoid talking about the incident with anyone else. This includes family, friends members, and colleagues. It is easy for someone to make a mistake and say something that can hurt your case. Even if they do not divulge information directly relating to the accident, it can damage your credibility and weaken your case.
If you do have to speak to someone, make sure that you only give the insurance company the information they need. Include the names, contact information, and insurance policy numbers of all witnesses to the accident. It is also important not to discuss your injuries with anyone. This is not only untrue and can cause additional harm to your health.
It is important that you see a doctor immediately if you have been injured in a vehicle accident. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you have been injured in a crash. Not only will this ensure that your injuries are correctly documented, but it will also aid in recovering the maximum compensation for your losses. This includes future medical costs as well as pain, suffering and reduced life quality. Our experienced attorneys will examine your case to determine the types of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
When you're hurt in an accident the last thing you want to think about on your mind is running after insurance companies and filling out paperwork. When you visit a doctor for discomforts and aches it's easy to get distracted by the forms and paperwork that insurance adjusters and company representatives provide you with.
These documents typically ask you to sign an authorization release which allows them access to your medical records throughout your life. Fullerton gives them access to your personal information before doctors can determine the extent of your injuries. They might also attempt to claim that the symptoms you're experiencing are not related to the accident.
An experienced injury lawyer will carefully scrutinize any documents that the insurance company sends you and ensure that they're accurate and complete. He or she can also tell you if they are legitimate and how they may impact your case. In a lot of cases, insurance companies will offer a quick settlement, and you'll be tempted to accept it.
If you hire a competent attorney in the event of a car crash, they will handle all communications with the insurance company. They will also ensure that you do not sign anything that could affect your case. They'll fight to obtain the maximum compensation you're entitled to for your injuries and losses.
It's also important to avoid giving written or oral statements to the insurance company since they're trained to say something that can be used against you. They will twist your words and use them to reduce the value of your claim, or even deny it altogether.
In some instances, the insurance company will try to entice you into admitting guilt or reducing the amount of your damage by claiming that you haven't reported all your expenses, which is a violation of the law. Contact an attorney as soon as you can after a collision to ensure that they will defend your rights and handle all correspondence with the insurance company.
Do not take pictures
It can be difficult to remember all the details of an accident. It is essential to take photographs using your smartphone to capture everything you see. You don't require a professional camera to capture photos of the scene, and you can even time stamp your pictures to stop the other party from trying to claim that the damage happened following the collision.
Also, you should take photos of the vehicles involved in the accident from a number of angles. This will allow your accident attorney to prove the location of each vehicle when the accident occurred, as well the extent of damage. Take pictures of the vehicles from the inside, outside front and side. Be sure to take pictures of any visible injuries that you or your passengers may have sustained.
If you witness any witnesses at the scene, ensure that you get their names and contact numbers. Your attorney will need witnesses should your case go to trial. It is not uncommon for a defense attorney to claim that the witness did not see the accident. You should have their contact information and their name on the file.
Do not share information about an accident on social media. This is because the other party and their insurance company can use it to argue that your injuries were not as severe as you claim, or that they did not cause the accident.