Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Attorneys for car accidents work with insurance companies to obtain compensation for damages and losses. They can also help you explore other sources of compensation like uninsured motorist insurance.
If you've been involved in a car accident it's crucial to take the following steps prioritizing safety by calling 911, looking for injuries and recording the scene. Exchange contact information and insurance policy numbers with other parties and get witnesses' statements.
Don't Admit Fault
You may lose your case if admit fault to an insurer, even if it is just a small amount. Your insurer may twist your statements to deny the claim, or reduce the amount of your settlement or claim that your injuries weren't caused by the crash. Be sure to take care of your safety and seek medical attention following an accident before you make any declarations.
When police officers arrive at the scene of a car accident they will ask questions about how the accident occurred and will examine the damage to your vehicle and the vehicle of the other driver. You should answer these questions in a professional manner and only give details that relate to the manner in which the accident occurred. You should not attempt to describe what you believe caused the accident or make statements that could be considered an admission of guilt.
Following a car crash after a crash, you should call authorities to request the police report or vehicle crash report. This will document the incident and permit an investigation to determine what contributed to the accident. It's also crucial to exchange information with all participants, including their name, address, phone number and insurance policy number. license plate number and insurance information. Take pictures of any injuries that you may suffer, the accident scene and any damage to your vehicle or other vehicles.
New York's no-fault insurance system covers the cost of economic losses like medical expenses and lost wages, up to $50,000 per person. However, it doesn't cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering that's why it's essential to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Your lawyer will help you understand what is and isn't covered under no-fault insurance so you can be compensated for all your losses. They can also let know if the person at fault is responsible for your non-economic losses if your injuries exceed the threshold for serious injuries in the state.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Company
After a car crash, you may be contacted by the other driver's insurance company. No matter if they're being courteous or not they are looking for anything they can use to deny or reduce your claim. They will try to get you to admit that you are at fault or say something that gives them an excuse to blame you for the crash.
Additionally, they may ask you to sign an unwritten statement. Lawyers usually review these statements to see if they are any inconsistencies. They can use these statements against you at trial. You might not even be aware you are saying something that could harm your case until months have passed and the insurance company begins looking through your previous statements.
You should not speak to the insurance company until you have discussed it with your lawyer. Even if you think that the other driver is at fault, let your lawyer handle the communication with the insurer. This will ensure your rights are protected.
Avoid discussing the incident with anyone else. This includes family members, friends members, and colleagues. It is easy for someone to say something in a way that could harm your case. Even if they don't disclose information directly related to the accident it could damage your credibility and weaken the case.
If you have to talk to someone, make sure you provide the information that is required by your insurance company. This includes the names and contact numbers for everyone who witnessed the accident, as well as their insurance policy numbers. Additionally, you shouldn't discuss your injuries with them. This is not only untrue but could also cause further harm to your health.
If you have been injured in a crash it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. This will not only ensure that your injuries are properly documented and documented, but it will aid in recovering the maximum amount of compensation available for your damages. This includes future medical costs and pain, suffering and diminished life quality. Our skilled attorneys will review your case to determine the types of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
If you're injured in an accident, the last thing on your mind is running insurance companies and filling out forms. When you go to the doctor and start feeling some pains and aches it's easy to be distracted by those pesky papers and forms that are handed out to you by company representatives and insurance adjusters.
Often, these papers ask you to sign an authorization release which grants them full access to all your medical records for your entire life. This will allow them to access your private information before doctors can determine the full extent of your injuries and they might try to claim that your ailments were not related to the accident.
A lawyer who has experience in the field of personal injury law will go over the documents provided to you by the insurance company, and make sure that they're correct and complete. The lawyer can inform you if they're valid and how they could affect your case. Insurance companies will often offer a quick settlement, and you might be enticed to accept.
But if you've hired an experienced car accident lawyer they'll handle the communications with the insurance company and ensure that you don't agree to anything that could undermine your entire case. They'll fight to obtain the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to for your losses and injuries.
You should also avoid giving an oral or written statement to the insurance company because they are trained to make you say something that could be used against you. Lake Forest accident lawsuit will twist your words and use them to lower the value of your claim, or even deny it completely.
In certain cases, the insurance company will try to entice you into admitting guilt or reducing the amount of your losses by claiming that you haven't reported all your expenses, which is in violation of the law. It is best to speak with an attorney immediately after the accident to ensure that he or she is able to manage all communications with the insurance company and safeguard your rights.
Do not take pictures
When you have an accident, it can be difficult to remember the details about the accident. This is why it's important to use your phone's camera to capture everything you see. You don't need a professional camera to take pictures at the scene, and you can even time stamp your photos to stop the other party from attempting to claim that the damage happened after the crash.
Take pictures of the vehicles involved from different angles. This will help your attorney to establish the location of each vehicle at the time of the crash, as well as the severity of the damages. If you are able capture photos of the vehicles from outside, the inside, the front and sides. Be sure to take pictures of any visible injuries you or your passengers could have suffered.
Request the names and contact information of any witnesses you might meet. If your case is taken to court, you will require their testimony. It is not uncommon for defense attorneys to claim that the witness didn't see the accident. You should have their contact information and name in the your file.
Never post details about an accident on social media. It is not advisable to publish any information about your accident on social media. The other party or their insurance company could use it to prove against you and that they were not the cause of the accident.