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Tips From Legal Experts To Help Accident Victims Protect Their Rights
A car accident can be a traumatic event that carries life-altering consequences for victims. Knowing what rights you have when involved in an accident with another party is crucial to holding that individual responsible. Victims of car accidents are often faced with considerable medical bills and lost wages, not to mention the pain and suffering they suffer after getting into a car crash. Here are some tips on what steps to take to protect your rights in these situations.
Call the police
Victims should call the local police immediately. Collecting evidence is key to an effective case, and even if you are not positive who was at fault, it is always best to call the authorities right away. This will help in identifying which party may be held responsible for damages and injuries. Besides, many accidents involve cars that have left the scene and evidence may disappear. By calling the police, you can collect evidence that might be lost otherwise or inform authorities about which direction a car drove off in after an accident.
Invite your attorney
Even if you haven’t been injured, it is advisable to meet with an attorney as soon as possible, so they can go over your case. They will be able to guide you on how to proceed and advise you on actions that might jeopardize your case later on. As the professionals from www.terry-lawfirm.com explain, it is important to get your case started early on in the process because once a certain amount of time has gone by you will no longer be able to file a claim. The sooner you get to speak with an attorney, the more likely they will be able to gather all of the evidence and witness needed for them to put together a strong case.
Document everything associated with your accident
Taking photos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and any injuries you suffered are very important. By getting photos of your injuries immediately after an accident, you will have evidence of the severity of the injuries weeks later when the bruises have healed or scars have disappeared. If the damage was caused to others’ property, that should be documented as soon as possible as well. The police report from the accident is also useful to have, as it can be used to identify other witnesses involved in the accident later on. If another property was damaged during your accident, make sure you keep all bills associated with fixing damages and injuries too.
Contact your insurance company
If you have car insurance, be sure to contact your agent as soon as possible. Be sure to inform them of the accident date and time, stressing that there is no need to send someone out to inspect your vehicle before an official claim is filed. Your agent will be able to help you navigate the paperwork and other issues that may arise from this accident. The insurance company will be your representative in court and may even settle with the other party’s insurance company before you even get a chance to speak. If you do not have car insurance, consider getting some to ensure that you are protected in future accidents.
Submit any medical bills
If you visit a physician or hospital following an accident, be sure to submit any medical bills related to the mishap as a result of negligence from another party. This can include ambulance fees, mileage reimbursement for traveling from the scene of the crime, and injuries that were sustained during the incident. In addition, it is important to keep all medical records in case you need them later on. This is important because if you are unable to provide proof of an injury, your case could be hindered, and you might end up with no compensation at all.
Do not sign any documents before consulting your attorney
Do not sign any legal documents that may affect your rights. This includes giving a statement to the insurance company, signing paperwork with an at-fault party’s insurance company, or anything else that could affect your case in the future. If you are hurt, this is especially important, as you must be certain no one can say later on that they “got you to sign something” which was incriminating or incriminates you in any way. Your attorney must always be consulted before anything is finalized.
If you have been involved in an accident, any legal advice will always be to consult with your attorney at the earliest possible time. This will ensure that your rights are preserved and protected throughout the process of seeking compensation for injuries sustained from this incident. Having in mind these few tips, hopefully, you will be able to navigate your way through the process of getting back on your feet as soon as possible.
