Being involved in car accidents because of the negligence or carelessness of someone else automatically means that you can be compensated for absolutely all property damage and injuries you suffered. The compensation is often a settlement of the injury claim due to a deal you make with the insurance company of the party at fault. However, in some rare cases, you might have to go through a lengthy lawsuit.
According to experienced lawyers for car accidents in Philly, protecting the right to be compensated is all about three important things: persistence, patience, and documentation. It is sometimes difficult to settle for the right amount without litigation, but if you do have evidence and persistence, it is possible.
Properly Document The Car Accident Scene
There will be a lot of chaos at the scene. You have to deal with immediate medical attention, which is definitely a priority. However, whenever injuries are not going to be serious, you have to take the right steps to document what happened. The evidence you gather at the scene is much more important than you might think. This includes things like:
- Talking To Witnesses
Try to obtain as much relevant information as you can. This includes contact information from witnesses. Make sure to ask if the witness is willing to make a verbal or written statement. You need corroborating information so that your claim can be as strong as possible.
- Contacting The Police
When you get the police involved, you get extra documents that could be used in your injury claim. Also, it is most likely required by law to call 911. The party that is responsible for the crash will surely try to avoid taking responsibility. As a result, whenever injured or the car is damaged, you have to call the police.
- Take Photographs
You can easily use the camera on your phone. Try to reference the date for authentication and photograph everything that is important. This includes vehicle damage, the entire scene, and all obvious injuries sustained.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Whenever you are injured, it is very important to seek medical attention fast. Doctor’s notes, medical bills, and treatment records are all proof of what happened, together with all the financial damage caused by the accident. Having many medical records simply makes it much easier to build a strong injury claim.
Always make sure that you respect all the orders of your doctor. Whenever some restrictions are recommended, you have to adhere to them. For instance, you should never get caught doing something stupid, like golfing as you make the claim. Whenever your injuries are highly significant, doing something that does not fit with the image of being injured will hurt your case.
At the end of the day, the most important part of protecting your rights after the car accident is gathering evidence and taking the correct steps. A highly experienced car accident attorney will help you to do exactly that. This is why everyone always recommends that you hire the lawyer to have by your side all throughout the process.