Following an Accident: Tips and Warnings

Our personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg have handled personal injury cases of all types; we know what it takes to successfully manage legal claims for injuries arising from a wide variety of accidents, including car crashes, slip-and-falls, construction site incidents, etc. Below, we have provided you with some friendly pointers on what to do and what not to do following an auto accident in which your car has been hit due to the negligence of another.

First, let’s take a look at what to do after an accident:

Take many clear, color photos of the damage from the accident.
This is vital to successfully handling a claim arising from an auto accident. Insurance companies will require evidence of the accident, and in addition to medical records, etc., photo evidence of the damage from the car crash helps in painting a fuller picture of your case

Seek prompt medical attention.
If you are in a car hit by another car, make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The quicker you are seen by a doctor, the better the likelihood that they will be able to more quickly help you manage any discomfort you may have. Additionally, if you wait to see a doctor, the liable insurance company will point to that fact as evidence that you weren’t really hurt in the accident. In essence, don’t try to be too tough for your own good; if you’ve been in an accident, go to the doctor/hospital. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, you may very well have. Medical professionals know that some of the most devastating injuries can go unnoticed for days, weeks or even months.

Contact a personal injury attorney.
You might think to yourself, this is simple: I was hit by another driver, and so their insurance company, or mine, will cover me. Wouldn’t it be great if the world worked like that? Unfortunately, insurance companies are built as for-profit corporations with shareholders and boards of directors, neither of which like to see the company shelling out full policy amounts. Thus, the liable insurance companies will try to bully you into accepting a lower settlement than you deserve – and sometimes they’ll give you nothing. Experienced personal injury attorneys, like ours, have years of experience in handling these insurance companies. We know how to deal with their strategies effectively and efficiently. Contacting an attorney to represent you in your claim could mean the difference between being properly compensated and being given nothing.

Now, here are some warnings to keep in mind following a car crash:

Do not admit fault.
This is a mistake that lots of people make. Trying to be the “bigger person,” many individuals exit their damaged vehicle and say something akin to, “I’m sorry, that was my fault.” Taking the blame for the car crash could be the worst mistake you make. First of all, you don’t know whether you caused the crash – from inside your car with limited vision, you didn’t have an overview of the entire accident and the moments before it took place. For all you know, the other driver could have been texting, lighting a cigarette, fiddling with the radio, etc. Second of all, if you admit fault, your claim will almost assuredly be doomed. The insurance company will use your selflessness against you, claiming that since you admitted fault (even if it wasn’t your fault!), you aren’t entitled to compensation.

Do not provide false information to your lawyer or to your doctor.
It is important to remember to always be honest with your lawyer and with your doctor. Lying about something – or withholding information regarding something – can end up hurting you in the end. When you meet with your lawyer, tell them all of the information that you know about the accident. When you visit the doctor, make sure to tell them all about the pain, when it began affecting you, what prior injuries and/or surgeries you’ve had, etc.

These lists are not mean to be exclusive. You should never rely solely on information on webpages regarding how to best move forward with a legal claim. The best advice anyone could give a victim of a personal injury accident is to speak with a qualified lawyer who can tailor legal advice to your specific case. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another, contact our lawyers at the Law Offices of Aronberg & Aronberg for a free consultation by calling 561-266-9191 or emailing us at daronberg@build.simple.biz.

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