Car Accident Attorneys Can Help You Get the Compensation You Need
Attorneys for car accidents work with insurance companies in order to get compensation for the damages and losses. They can also help you in looking into other compensation sources, such as uninsured driver coverage.
If you've been involved in a car crash it is crucial to follow these steps: Prioritize your safety by calling 911. Check for injuries and take a photo of the scene. Exchange contact information as well as insurance policy numbers and witness statements with other parties.
Don't Admit Fault
You could lose your case if admit to fault with an insurer, even if it is just a small amount. The insurance company will manipulate your words and use them against you to deny your claim, lowball your settlement and/or argue that your injuries aren't connected to the accident. Always put your needs first. safety and get medical treatment following a crash, before making any information to anyone other than the police or your doctor.
When police officers arrive on the scene of a crash they will ask questions about how the accident happened and examine the damages to your vehicle and the vehicle of the other driver. You must answer these questions truthfully and only provide information relevant to how the accident happened. You should not discuss what you consider to be the cause of the accident, or make any statement that could be seen as an admission of guilt.
Following a car accident, you should contact the authorities to request the police report or car crash report. This will record the incident and allow for an investigation to determine what contributed to the accident. It is also crucial to exchange all the information with other parties, including their addresses, names and phone numbers, as well as insurance policy numbers license plate numbers, as well as insurance information. Take pictures of any injuries you may have, the accident scene and any damage to your vehicle or other vehicles.
The insurance system that is no-fault in New York will cover the cost of economic losses such as medical expenses and lost wages, up to $50,000 per person. However, this doesn't pay for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering that's why it's crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as you can.
Your attorney will help you determine what is and isn't covered by no-fault insurance so that you can receive compensation for all of your losses. They can also tell you if the party at fault might be responsible for the non-economic damages you suffered when the extent of your injuries surpasses the threshold for serious injuries set by the state.
Do not speak to your insurance company
You might get a call from the insurance company of the other driver after a crash. They will try to find every reason to make you pay less or deny the amount. They will try to force you to admit that you are at fault or to make a statement that gives them an excuse to blame you for the crash.
In addition, they will require you to sign the recording of a statement. Lawyers will usually check these to see if there are any contradictions. They may use these statements against you in court. You may not be aware that you've made a statement that could be detrimental to your case until the insurance company begins investigating your previous statements.
You should not speak to the insurance company until you have discussed it with your lawyer. Even if you believe it is obvious that the other driver was the one to blame, you should still let your attorney handle communication with the insurance company. This will protect your rights.
Avoid talking about the incident to anyone else. This includes family members, friends, and colleagues. It is very easy for someone to accidentally say something that can affect your case. Even if Downey accident lawyer share isn't directly related to the crash, it can damage your credibility and undermine your case.
If you have to speak to someone, you should only provide the information that is required by your insurance company. Include the names, contact details and insurance policy numbers of all witnesses to the incident. Additionally you should not discuss your injuries with them. This is not only unwise, but it can also lead to further damage to your health and hinder your recovery.
If you have been injured in a car accident it is essential to see a doctor immediately. It is essential to see 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 help you recover the maximum amount of compensation for the damages. This includes future medical expenses and pain, suffering and a diminished quality of life. Our experienced attorneys will examine your case to determine what types of damages are available.
Don't Sign Any Paperwork
If you're injured in a crash, the last thing you want to think about on your mind is going insurance companies and filling out paperwork. But when you go to the doctor and feel some pains and aches it's easy to be distracted by those pesky papers and forms that are offered to you from company representatives and insurance adjusters.
In most cases, these documents require you to sign an authorization release that allows them full access to all your medical records for your entire life. This gives them access to your personal information before doctors can determine the full extent of your injuries. They may also try to claim that the symptoms you're experiencing aren't related to the accident.
A seasoned injury lawyer will scrutinize all documents that the insurance company sends you and will make sure that they're complete and accurate. They will also be able to tell you on the validity of the documents and what effect they'll affect your case. In a lot of cases, insurance companies offer you an immediate settlement, and you'll be tempted to accept it.
But if you've hired an experienced car accident lawyer, they'll take over the communication with the insurance company and ensure that you do not agree to anything that could jeopardize your entire case. Then, they will fight to get the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to for your injuries and losses.
It is also recommended to not give an oral or written declaration to the insurance company, since they are trained to get you say something that could be used against you. They will twist your words and use them to decrease the value of your claim, or even deny it completely.
In some cases, the insurance company will try to entice you into admitting that you are at fault or reduce the value of your damages by claiming that you didn't report all your expenses, which is a violation of law. Contact an attorney as soon as you can after an accident to ensure they can defend your rights and handle all interactions with the insurance company.
Don't Photograph Yourself
It can be difficult to keep track of the details of an accident. This is why it's important to use your mobile phone camera to record everything you see. You don't require a high-end camera to take pictures at the scene, and you can even time stamp your photos to prevent the other party from trying to argue that damage occurred following the collision.
Take photos of the vehicles involved from different angles. This will enable your accident attorney to prove the position of every vehicle when the accident occurred, and the extent of damages. If you are able capture photos of the vehicles from the outside and inside, as well as the front and side. Be sure to take pictures of any visible injuries that you or your passengers might have suffered.
If you see any witnesses on the scene, be sure to ask for their names and contact details. Your attorney will need witnesses if your case goes to trial. It is not uncommon for a defense attorney to claim that the witness didn't observe the accident. You should have their contact details and name in the the file.
Never post details about an accident on social media. You should not publish any information about your accident on social media. The other party or their insurance company could use it to prove against you, and argue that they were not the cause of the accident.