Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Attorneys for car accidents negotiate with insurance companies in order to get compensation for the damages and losses. They can also help you in exploring other compensation sources like uninsured motorist insurance.
If you've been involved in a car accident it is crucial to follow the following steps prioritizing safety by calling 911, examining for injuries and recording the scene. Exchange contact information and insurance policy numbers with other parties, and obtain witnesses' statements.
Don't Admit Fault
If you admit to fault even a small amount of it, to an insurance company, it could tarnish your car accident case. Your insurer may twist your words to deny the claim, reduce your settlement or argue that your injuries were not caused by the crash. Be sure to take care of your safety and seek medical attention after a collision before you make any statements.
When police arrive at the scene of an accident, they will ask you questions regarding the incident and will examine your vehicle and the vehicle of the other driver. You must answer these questions in a professional manner and only provide information relevant to how the accident happened. Do not attempt to describe what you believe caused the accident or make assertions that could be interpreted as an admission of blame.
Following a car crash, you should also contact the authorities and request to file the police report or a formal car crash report. This will record the incident and allow for an investigation to determine what led to the accident. It is also essential to exchange all the information with other parties, including their names, addresses telephone numbers, policy numbers, license plate numbers and insurance information. Photograph 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 costs of your economic losses like medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 per person. This does not pay for non-economic damages like pain and discomfort that is why you should speak with an attorney as soon as you can.
Your lawyer can help you to understand the coverage and exclusions of no-fault insurance so that you receive compensation for the losses. They will also inform you if the person at fault could be responsible for your non-economic damages when the extent of your injuries exceeds the threshold of serious injury set by the state.
Do not discuss your insurance company
You might get a call from the insurance company of the other driver following a car accident. They will try to find every excuse they can to make you pay less or deny it. They will try to get you to admit fault or say something that gives them an excuse to blame you for the crash.
They may also ask you to sign a written declaration. These are typically scrutinized by lawyers to find contradictions or inconsistencies. They can use these statements against you in court. You might not even be aware you've made a statement that could damage your case until it has been months and the insurance company starts looking through your prior statements.
You should not make contact with the insurance company without consulting with your attorney. Even if You Tube believe it is obvious that the other driver was at fault, you should still allow your attorney to handle communications with the insurance company. This will ensure that your rights are protected.
Avoid discussing the incident to anyone else. This includes family members, friends, and colleagues. It is easy to make a statement that could harm your case. Even if they don't share information directly related to the accident, it can damage your credibility and weaken the case.
If you have to talk to people, make sure you give the insurance company the details they require. This includes the names and contact details of everyone who was present at the accident, as well as their insurance policy numbers. In addition you must not discuss your injuries with them. This is not only foolish, but it can also lead to further damage to your health and hinder your recovery.
If you've been injured in a crash it is essential to see a doctor immediately. It is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible after being injured in a crash. Not only will this ensure that your injuries are properly documented, but it will also assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation for your losses. This includes the possibility of future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. Our experienced attorneys will examine your case to determine the types of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
If you're injured in a car crash, the most important thing you'll need to do is fill in forms and chase insurance companies. However, when you visit the doctor and begin to feel discomfort and aches it's easy to be distracted by the endless paperwork and forms that are handed out to you from company representatives and insurance adjusters.
These papers typically require you to sign an authorization release which allows them access to your medical records throughout your life. This will give them access to your private details, prior to doctors being able to determine the full extent of your injuries. They may also try to claim that the symptoms you are experiencing are not due to the accident.
A lawyer who has experience in personal injury law will examine the documents provided to you by the insurance company, and make sure that they are accurate and complete. They can tell you if they are valid and how they will impact your case. In a lot of cases, insurance companies offer an immediate settlement, and you'll be tempted to accept it.
If you hire a good attorney for a car accident, they will handle all communications with the insurance company. They will also make sure you do not sign anything that could compromise your case. Then, they will fight to secure the maximum compensation you're entitled to for your injuries and losses.
It's also important to avoid giving written or oral statements to the insurance company since they're trained to get you to give information that could be used against you. They will twist your words to reduce the value or deny your claim.
Insurance companies can attempt to trick you by pretending that you didn't declare all your expenses. This is a violation of law. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a collision to ensure that they are able to protect your rights and handle all interactions with the insurance company.
Don't take pictures
It can be difficult to remember the details of an accident. It is essential to take photographs using your phone to capture every detail you observe. You don't require a professional camera to take pictures at the scene and you can time stamp your pictures to stop the other party from trying to argue that damage occurred after the collision.
Take photos of the cars involved from different angles. This will assist your accident lawyer to establish the location of each vehicle prior to the crash, as well as the extent of the damage. Take pictures of the cars from the inside, outside front and side. Make sure to take photos of any visible injuries that you or your passengers may have suffered.
Get the names and contact information of any witnesses you see. If your case is taken to court, you will need their testimony. It's not common for the other defense lawyer for the driver to claim that witnesses did not witness the crash, so it's crucial to have their contact details on file.
It is not advisable to share any details regarding your accident on social media. This is because the other party and their insurance company could make use of it to argue that your injuries were not as severe as you claim, or that they didn't cause the accident.