What To Do After An Auto Accident Injury
Even if you believe that you’re the most cautious and defensive driver on the roadway, there’s still the other guy. Remember, it only takes a second for human error to be triggered. Suddenly, you’re a car accident injury victim with injuries. You’re going to need to preserve and protect your rights from the onset. Accordingly, here’s what you’ll need to do if you’ve experienced not-at-fault auto accident injuries.
Call 911
When speaking with the 911 operator, advise that you’ve been in an accident. Be sure to give them your location and let them know that you’ve been injured. Consequently, this information will trigger both police and paramedics to be dispatched to the scene. Furthermore, police can investigate the accident, interview the drivers, and witnesses and compile a written report. Hence, the paramedics can stabilize your condition and get you to a nearby emergency room. The person who caused the accident might not have a valid driver’s license or insurance, or the individual is drunk, high, or both. Maybe there’s an outstanding warrant that they are trying to avoid. If that individual flees the scene of the accident, don’t chase. Try to make a note of their license plate, and stay there until police and paramedics arrive.
Notify Your Insurance Company
It’s important to inform your insurance company right away. Notify them that you were involved in an auto accident and have been injured. Although you don’t know whether you’re going to need your insurer’s help or not, they now has the opportunity to investigate any possible claim against it. Don’t worry about your premium rates increasing. The accident wasn’t your fault, and under these circumstances, it’s against the law in many states for an insurer to raise your rates. To learn more about filling with the at-fault party click here.
Follow All Medical Instructions
After your emergency assessment and treatment, follow all instructions from your doctor. You’ll need to supply your medical records regarding your injuries. As well as treatment to the opposing insurance company. They are going to scrutinize all of those records. Additionally, look for gaps in treatment or missed appointments. Making it easy for it to argue that you’re not injured to the extent that you claim. Of course, you don’t want your credibility to be called into question.
Don’t Give a Statement to the Opposing Insurance Company
The insurer of the person who caused your accident and injuries might try to get to you before you can get to a personal injury attorney. Its representative will likely want a recorded statement from you. No matter what that representative says, politely refuse to give any type of a statement. If you’re threatened about having your claim closed without a statement, let the insurer close it. That insurance company’s representative already knows what happened in the accident. There’s a copy of the police report on the accident in front of them. That’s how they got your phone number. The insurer is merely looking for an opportunity to put words in your mouth that it can use against you in the future in another effort to attack your credibility and devalue your claim. An experienced and reputable personal injury lawyer knows how to have your claim opened again in minutes.
Keep it Off Social Media
The opposing insurer will most likely review your social media posts. Keep your accident and injuries out of the public’s eye. Did you know that what you share about your accident on social media can be used against you? Also avoid posting about events you attend, or uploading photos of you having a good time after the accident. If an opposing insurance company can’t beat you on liability and damages, it’s going to try and beat you on your credibility.
You’ll best preserve and protect your right to the maximum compensation that you deserve for your damages by phoning 911 immediately, getting to an emergency room, notifying your insurance company, following medical instructions, not giving a statement, and keeping the accident off of social media. You should involve a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney in your claim as soon as possible. Consult with and retain one, and you’ll learn more about how you should proceed.
Schedule A Consultation With An Injury Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a not-at-fault auto accident injury be sure to schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney. Utah state laws for auto accidents adopt the comparative negligence law. Meaning, a plaintiff can still recover damages in a personal injury claim even if he or she is partially responsible for the accident. However, the 50% limit means that the plaintiff’s fault cannot exceed the defendant’s. If the plaintiff is 50% or more at fault for a claimed accident, the plaintiff cannot recover any damages. Learn more about Auto Accident Injuries and schedule your free consultation today.
