5 Tips for Navigating a Car Accident Claim from a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in an auto accident, it can be overwhelming to deal with the stress and uncertainty that come with being involved in an event in which someone else was at fault and caused damage to your vehicle or your body. 

An experienced car accident lawyer can help you as you navigate the claims process, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed before you’ve even started, here are five tips that can help you get going on making a claim and dealing with insurance companies or lawyers as soon as possible after your accident.

1) Don't hesitate to call a lawyer

No matter how minor the accident, it's always best to consult with an attorney before making any decisions. Here are five tips to help you navigate your car accident claim: 

1. Don't hesitate to call a lawyer. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more likely they will be able to investigate your case and provide you with their expert opinion on what the future of your case might look like. 

2. Understand that there is no such thing as 'small' or 'minor' injuries in these cases. Even if you think your injuries are not severe enough, a lawyer can give you advice on how to handle the situation and make it easier for you down the line. For example, if you have a neck injury but feel okay otherwise, you may want to get medical treatment anyway because this injury could lead to further problems down the road. 

3. Get medical attention immediately following an accident - even if you don't think anything is wrong! You need documentation about your condition in order for the attorney to do his/her job effectively so follow through on this important step. And don't forget about documenting your day-to-day activities after the accident too! Keep track of all appointments, treatments and medications taken - even over-the-counter ones because lawyers will ask about them during the lawsuit process. 

4. Accept that some people may not take responsibility for their actions despite evidence proving otherwise (you've got video footage?

2) Gather evidence

The most important thing to do after an accident is to gather evidence. Make sure you have pictures and videos of the accident scene, and take photos of your injuries as they heal. You should also make sure that you have contact information for any witnesses who can corroborate your story. 

Finally, make sure you document any medical expenses related to the accident by getting receipts or keeping track of them in some other way. This can help you prove the severity of your injuries and show how long it takes before you're able to work again. It's also helpful if the driver at fault claims they were not injured in the crash. 

Once all this evidence is gathered, call our office to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers so we can go over all your options. We understand that the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, which is why we offer 24/7 support. 

We'll answer any questions you might have about your claim and fight aggressively on behalf of our clients to recover damages from drivers who cause accidents. Our goal is to get you the compensation that you deserve and put your life back together following a car accident. 

When you're struggling to pay bills because of lost wages and expensive medical bills, our attorneys can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you have a question about what steps to take, don't hesitate to give us a call.

3) Get medical attention

It is important to get medical attention after an accident. This will help you remember the details of what happened and provide you with proof in case you need to file a personal injury claim. Plus, it could prevent more serious injuries or even death. 

You should always call the police if there's property damage or if anyone was injured, but if no one was hurt, it may be your decision whether to call the authorities. In any case, it's worth reporting the incident to your insurance company so they can update their records. 

If possible, take photos of the scene: It can be difficult to accurately reconstruct an accident later on just by describing it verbally; photos make everything easier! Be sure not only to take pictures of anything that might have caused the crash (like road debris), but also any physical injuries that occurred (like cuts) as well as both vehicles involved in the collision. 

Consider using your cell phone camera since most people don't keep professional photography equipment handy. 

When you've finished taking photos, label them carefully in chronological order using the date and time when each photo was taken - this makes it much simpler to determine which photo corresponds to which part of the narrative later on. 

Review other driver’s information: For starters, check out the license plate number and make/model of other driver’s vehicle. Then contact the other driver's insurance company to see if they are insured or self-insured before filing a claim against them.

4) Keep track of your expenses

In order to get the most compensation possible, it is important to keep track of your expenses. Some things you may need to keep records of are medical bills, doctor's bills, hospital bills, ambulance fees, rehabilitation costs and future costs like medication and long-term care. 

The best way to go about this process is by keeping all your receipts in one place such as a folder or binder. When you receive statements or invoices in the mail, make sure that you copy them and put them in the same folder with your other receipts. 

In addition to keeping records of your expenses, it is also important to keep track of any income that you have lost during this time period. 

If you are not working, you should note how many hours per week you usually work and calculate how much money per hour that would amount to. If your employer does not provide paid sick days or vacation days then try to find out what your average hourly pay rate is. 

You can use these numbers to figure out how much money you're losing each day because of not being able to work due to the accident. Add up the total number of hours missed due to work since the accident and multiply it by your hourly wage in order determine what your average weekly income was before the accident occurred. 

Be sure that when doing this calculation, take into account any overtime hours if they were available at all prior to the accident. It may be easier for people who are on commission or self-employed to do this step. After figuring out what your average weekly income was before the accident, divide that number by seven (to include weekends) in order to see how much you've been losing every day. 

Take those figures and add them up to see how much money has been lost so far. If you know someone who is good with math, now might be a good time to ask for their help! It's always best to have someone else double check calculations made on spreadsheets as well just so there are no mistakes when it comes time to tally everything up!

5) Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company

It is not necessary to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and can actually hurt your personal injury claim. The insurance company will only be interested in your statement if it helps them deny or reduce their liability. 

You should only speak with the other driver's insurance company if you are willing to settle your case with them. Even then, it is best not to communicate through email or over the phone but instead meet in person so that you can have an attorney present during negotiations. 

Insurance companies often take advantage of people who try to handle car accident claims on their own because they do not understand how insurance works or do not know about all of the laws surrounding car accidents.