Personal injury law covers a lot of things: from a one-time dog bite or slip and fall incident in a neighbor’s house, to recurring medical malpractice or nursing home abuse, the list of injury cases is endless.
A good number of personal injury cases, however, involve vehicle accidents. Injury law provides a broad definition of a motor vehicle accident. It can refer to an automobile accident, a bicycle accident, a bus accident, or even a truck accident.Â
Any auto accident will refer to both injury and accident law. This article explains five things that would be helpful in the legal process one goes through after a car accident.
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Call for help
If you (or a loved one) have been involved or injured in a car accident, call 911 right away. The dispatcher will then send paramedics and police officers to the premises.
Your insurance company will likely ask for a police report because it is necessary for your insurance claim. A careless, reckless, negligent, distracted, or drunk driver (the list of adjectives go on), whether of a small private or large trucking vehicle, must be held accountable under the law.Â
An after-the-fact police report could also help hold the driver at-fault liable for the car accident (and the resulting trauma and devastation to the accident victims). However,as much as possible, do not delay this step. A personal injury lawyer can explain this to you further.
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Document everything
Use your phone or any camera available to gather documentation. Take photos and videos of the wreck, the property damage, and even the surroundings. Get the names and contact details of any pedestrian or witnesses that you and your injury attorney may get testimonials from.
The offending motorist cannot claim that there is no fault from his or her end if you and your injury attorney can provide sufficient evidence.
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Get medical care
If you need to seek medical treatment for any serious injury, do so as soon as you can. While a diagnosis is often necessary for injury claims and reimbursement of medical bills, you should, first and foremost, seek medical attention because you have to.
If you are injured in a car accident, recovering from serious injuries should be a priority. Any injury lawyer would say the same thing. While negotiating for the insurance claim you are entitled to is indeed important, an injured person’s top goal is to recover as quickly and safely as possible.
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Be careful when talking to an adjuster
An individual injured in an accident will likely be disoriented. The insurance company of the driver at-fault will likely call and ask for a statement from you. Consult with personal injury lawyers first before giving any statement.
Your conversation with the insurance adjuster would also likely be recorded, and could eventually be used against you in a car accident case. Seek legal help first.
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Hire the right accident attorney
Right after getting involved in a motor vehicle accident, consult with someone knowledgeable on injury laws. Personal injury attorneys help you understand your legal rights, check for possible negligence or carelessness by the other party, and fight for you in court.
A car accident lawyer will prepare your personal injury paperwork. He or she will also provide legal representation when you make a personal injury claim or opt to pursue an injury lawsuit.
While you would want to receive recovery compensation from insurance companies, it is not just about money or the compensatory damages. A personal injury case is often pursued because an individual seeks compensation for bodily injuries, emotional distress, or pain and suffering that the accident has caused.
Hire the best lawyers for your personal injury case. Contact our law firm for questions on personal injury claims or assistance for your personal injury lawsuit. Call us at Farmer & Wright, PLLC for a consultation.