Maximize Your Car Accident Compensation: No one wants to have a car accident. After all, that’s why they’re called accidents. But if you are in one and it’s not your fault, you deserve to get the most compensation possible to cover your expenses related to any injuries you sustained.
The personal injury lawyers at Walter Law Group provide these tips to maximize your car accident compensation.
Stay at the Scene of the Accident
Unless you are critically injured and removed from the scene of your car accident by an ambulance, it is vital that you stay at the scene, even if you’re hurt.
Your first instinct might be to seek immediate medical attention, but if you’re not fighting for your life, you need to stay.
There are several reasons for this, but the primary one is if you leave, you could be cited for leaving the scene of an accident, which may limit your ability to claim negligence on the part of the other driver.
The law requires all parties involved in a motor vehicle accident to remain on scene until the police clear them.
Use this time to take pictures of the scene and your injuries, ensuring you get photos of any signs, signals, or other information that can help determine fault.
Ask witnesses for their contact information so that you can reach out to them for statements later.
Take note of any evidence that might be useful to your case and write down your version of events immediately while they’re still fresh in your mind.
Seek Medical Treatment
As soon as you’re released from the scene, get medical treatment. Even if you don’t think you’re hurt or you believe your injuries are minor, it is important to see a doctor anyway.
Many injuries from car accidents don’t show up until days or even weeks later, but a doctor will be able to identify areas that have been injured and document them.
In personal injury cases, the burden of proof is with the injured, so if you wait to get medical treatment, the more challenging it becomes to establish that your injuries were the result of the accident.
This will directly impact the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries because if you can’t prove you were hurt in the collision, the insurance company can and will refuse to pay you.
Consult With a Personal Injury Lawyer
In the aftermath of a car accident, you may not be thinking very clearly.
This is perfectly normal, but it can lead to poor decisions like speaking to an insurance company and saying something you shouldn’t or like accepting the first offer an insurance company makes.
Consulting with a personal injury lawyer before you do anything other than get medical attention will protect your rights and ensure you don’t make a rash decision that will prevent you from getting everything you deserve.
Conclusion
When it comes to personal injury compensation, keep in mind that insurance companies don’t want to pay you.
They will do whatever they can to limit their liability, so you need to do everything you can to prove you deserve the right amount of compensation, including the tips mentioned here.