Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Car accident lawyers negotiate with insurance companies to secure compensation for losses and damages. They can also assist in looking into other compensation sources like uninsured driver coverage.
If you've been involved in a crash with a vehicle, it is important to follow these steps: Prioritize your safety by calling 911. Check for injuries and record the scene. Exchange information about contact details and insurance policy numbers with other parties, and request witnesses' statements.
Don't Admit Fault
If you admit fault, even a small portion, to an insurance company, it could hurt your car accident case. The insurer could manipulate your words and use them against you to reduce your settlement and/or argue that your injuries don't have anything to do with to the crash. Be sure to take care of your safety and seek medical attention following an accident before you make any declarations.
When police arrive at the scene of a crash They will ask you questions about how the accident occurred and will examine the damage to your vehicle as well as the other driver's vehicle. Answer these questions with honesty and only provide specifics about the circumstances of the crash. Do not attempt to describe what you believe caused the accident or make any statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
After a car accident is over, you must also contact the authorities and request to file a police report or a formal report of the crash. This will enable an investigation to determine what caused of the incident. It is also essential to exchange information with all parties involved, including their name address, number, and address as well as the insurance policy number, license plate number and insurance information. Take pictures of any injuries that you may suffer or the scene of an accident, as well as any damage to your vehicle or any other vehicles.
The no-fault insurance program in New York will cover the cost of economic losses such as medical expenses and lost wages up to $50,000 per person. However, it does not pay for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering that's why it's essential to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Your lawyer can help you learn about the coverage and exclusions of no-fault insurance so that you get compensation for the losses. They will also let you know if the at-fault person could be responsible for your non-economic losses if the injuries you sustained exceed the state's serious-injury threshold.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Company
After a car accident, you may be contacted by the other driver's insurance company. They will attempt to find any reason to make you pay less or deny the amount. They will try to convince you to admit that you are at fault or to say something that will give them a reason to blame you for the crash.
They will also ask you to sign a written declaration. Lawyers will usually check the statements to determine if there are any contradictions. They may use these statements against you in court. You might not even be aware you are saying something that could hurt your case until after months have passed and the insurance company begins digging up all your previous statements.
You should not contact the insurance company without consulting with your lawyer. Even if it appears obvious that the other driver is at fault, let your lawyer handle the conversation with the insurer. This will protect your rights.
It's also a good idea to avoid discussing the incident with anyone else. This includes family, friends members, and coworkers. It is easy for someone to accidentally say something that could affect your case. Even even if the information shared is not directly related to the crash, it could harm your credibility and weaken your case.
If you have to talk to people, make sure you provide the insurance company with details they require. This includes the names and contact details for all those who witnessed the accident as well as their insurance policy numbers. You should also not discuss your injuries with anyone. This is not only unwise, but it can also cause further damage to your health and impede your recovery.
If you have been injured in a car crash it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as you can. It is crucial to visit an expert as soon as possible if you have been injured in a car accident. Not only will this ensure that your injuries are properly documented but it will aid in recovering the most amount of compensation for your damages. This includes future medical costs, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. Our knowledgeable attorneys will analyze your case to determine what kinds of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
When you're hurt in an accident, the last thing on your mind is running after insurance companies and filling out paperwork. However, when you visit the doctor and start feeling some pains and aches it's easy to be distracted by those pesky papers and forms that are offered to you by company representatives and insurance adjusters.
These papers often ask you to sign an authorization form that allows them access to your medical records for the duration of your life. This will give access to your private details, prior to doctors being able to determine the full extent of your injuries. They might also attempt to claim that the symptoms you are experiencing are not due to the accident.
A seasoned injury lawyer will carefully scrutinize any documents that the insurance company sends you and ensure that they're complete and accurate. They can tell you if they are valid and how they could impact your case. More inspiring ideas offer a quick settlement and you might be enticed to accept.
But if you've hired a good car accident attorney, they'll take over the communications with the insurance company and will ensure that you don't sign any agreement that could compromise your entire case. Then, they will fight to secure the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to for your losses and injuries.
It's also important to avoid giving oral or written statements to the insurance company since they're trained to get you to give information that could be used against you. They'll twist your words to diminish the value of your claim or even decline your claim.
In certain cases the insurance company may attempt to entice you into admitting fault or reducing the value of your losses by claiming that you haven't disclosed all your expenses, which is a violation of law. Contact an attorney as soon as you can after an accident to ensure they can protect your rights and handle all communications with the insurance company.
Don't Take Pictures
It isn't easy to remember all the details of an accident. This is the reason it's so important to use your mobile phone camera to document everything you see. You don't require a professional camera to take pictures at the scene, and you can even time stamp your photos to stop the other party from trying to claim that the damage happened following the crash.
You should also take pictures of the vehicles involved in the crash from a number of angles. This will help your attorney to establish the location of each vehicle at the time of the collision, as well in proving the severity of the damage. Take pictures of the cars from the outside, inside, front and side. Make sure to take photos of any visible injuries that you or your passengers might have sustained.
Ask for the names and contact numbers of any witnesses you may meet. If your case is taken to court, you will need their testimony. It's not unusual for the driver's defense lawyer to claim that a witness didn't witness the crash, so it's essential to have their name and contact information on the file.
It is not advisable to share any details about your accident on social media. This is because the other party and their insurance company may make use of it to argue that your injuries were not as severe as you claim or they did not cause the accident.