How To Get The Right Compensation Following A Car Accident

Getting into a car accident is not something many motorists look forward to. However, no matter how carefully you drive, the risk of something wrong happening is never zero. If you’re lucky, the damage to your car and person is minimal; any more than that is usually life-changing in terrible ways.

No matter how bad it gets, one thing is certain for every car accident: filing an injury claim is a must.

When you get in a car accident because of another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to a settlement and compensation, an amount which is usually determined by the court and your insurance policy. Unfortunately, there are cases where terms are tricky to maneuver around, leaving you with less or none of what you should expect to receive.

If you or anyone close to you has been injured in a car accident, follow this guide to get the right compensation following a car accident.

1. Hire An Auto Accident Lawyer

Navigating all the technicalities of claiming compensation can be challenging. It’s not just that you may not have experience or knowledge about this yet (as in first-time accident victims). You’re bound to experience a variety of personal difficulties, as well, such as a loss of mobility due to injuries or hospitalization. You can only imagine how much time you lose while recuperating.

This is why an auto accident lawyer is a key asset. Not only are they knowledgeable in legal terms, but they’re also well-trained in scrutinizing every facet of the accident on behalf of their client.

An auto accident lawyer knows what to bring up in court, what evidence to show, and what other arguments to push to give their client the best chances of receiving the assistance they need.

2. Get Medical Attention Right Away

Even if you think the injuries are only minor, getting medical attention right away is essential.

Prioritize this over your car. Injuries can look minor on the outside, but you can’t determine the extent of internal damage you got. Only through a thorough medical examination in the hospital can an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan be made.

Most importantly, hospital records also constitute proof of the physical injuries you’ve suffered. You need that to strengthen your claim in instances when the negligent party may be unwilling to accept fault or pay compensation. When that happens, you have no other recourse but the courts, where, by then, it’ll be a battle of evidence between each party’s lawyer.

3. Talk To Witnesses

Speaking of evidence, it’s a plus to have statements from those who saw what happened during the accident. Talk to all the witnesses you can find, get their names and contact details, and take note of every piece of information they give.

Don’t rely on your memory to remember everything that happened during the accident. It’s a stressful situation that can impair memory and proper thinking, in which case witness accounts come in handy.

The more information you can gather that supports and confirms your version of the accident, the stronger your evidence for your claim.

4. Take Photos Of The Accident

Almost everyone has a smartphone nowadays, so taking photos of the accident scene is not difficult. This is, of course, given that you’re physically able to do so. If not, ask for help from others around you or your family and friends to take photos.

When your memory fails you, the best source of an accurate accident record is the photos that show the injuries at the time, the damage to vehicles and property, and other surrounding circumstances.

5. File Police And Accident Reports

Like medical records, other documents given a heavy weight of trust by insurance companies and the courts are police and accident reports.

When the police arrive on the scene, they’ll make an account of the following:

• How the accident occurred
• Damages incurred
• Witness statements
• Who could be at fault
• The condition of the people involved and the environment

Work with your lawyer in getting documents with these details, as you can use those to establish liability against the negligent driver.

Get The Assistance You Deserve

Insurance companies will claim they play fair. But don’t be surprised if they also try to haggle for a settlement based on their terms. This is only the beginning of the many reasons why getting the proper compensation following a car accident is best achieved by working with an auto accident lawyer.

There’s no fixed amount on the ‘right’ compensation, but rather one arrived at based on the extent of injury and damage you have suffered. So, make sure you get what you deserve with professional help.