WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT: A CHECKLIST

Posted by Joseph Franks on March 10th, 2020

A car crash can turn your life upside-down and disastrous too. The accident itself and the ensuing recovery can be wild, worrying, and perplexing. What are you actually supposed to do? How are you supposed to pay all these bills and move forward with it? And can anyone guide you through this procedure?

Savannah Personal Injury Attorney has put together the following checklist for anyone who has been in a car accident. By inspecting each of these boxes, you can greatly increase your chances of bouncing back from a crash with your health and your finances together.

Document Everything at the Scene of the Accident

If you were in a car accident then make sure to take pictures of your vehicle and write down the date and location where the accident took place, as well as the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses. If there is an argument later about your claims, you’ll be glad that you exactly documented the scene of the accident.

Going to the Doctor and Following Their Instructions

Most of the injuries that occur during a crash don’t manifest themselves until hours, days and even weeks later. Without a brief medical evaluation, it could be difficult to prove your injuries. On top of getting assessed, we suggest strictly following all doctor’s orders and attending all scheduled appointments.

Missing a follow-up appointment or physical therapy period could be used against you in this case, as the insurance company might claim that you’re not as injured as you claim.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Although not every personal injury case includes making a claim with an insurance company, many do. If you were a part of a car accident, you don’t want to wait too long to contact the insurance company and file your claim. As with ignored doctor’s appointments, the insurance company might cite this interruption as proof that your injuries are not that harsh.

Though you can hire a lawyer at any point during the claim procedure, there is always a statute of limitations (or legal deadline) for how long you have to file a lawsuit. Every state is diverse, so be sure to check the statute of limits for your state. In most places, a lawsuit must be filed within two or three years of the injury.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If the insurance company delays or denies your claim, or pays you less than you feel you are owed, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to explore your options. An attorney may be able to help you recover significantly more compensation than the insurance company is offering.

According to the insurance companies’ own studies, people who hire a personal attorney after a car crash recover three times more than those who don’t on average.

Keeping Track of All Evidence of Loss

If you endure injuries or property damage from an accident, you could be on the hook for reparation and medical bills you didn’t expect. But if the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be responsible for these expenses. Keep track of ALL related expenses so that you can seek compensation for them. Make sure to remember all of your receipts so you don’t get stuck paying for something you shouldn’t have to.