An accident can have a huge impact on the victim’s life. Depending on the type, nature, and severity of the accident you are involved in, you could be dealing with vehicular damages, physical injuries, pain, and trauma. In some cases, victims may have to be hospitalized for some time if they were lucky enough not to suffer a disability, which could mean some time away from work and lost wages. The situation can be dire, and the best the at-fault driver (or their auto insurance) can do is to compensate you financially as required by the law.
All the same, the compensation you get will depend on the steps you take from the get-go after being involved in an auto accident. Since this is a crucial aspect of your recovery journey, you would want to settle for the maximum amount. In this piece, we shall cover a few points that could help ensure you receive maximum financial compensation from an accident claim.
1. Obtain Medical Attention Immediately
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after an accident is not debatable. Your health and wellness should be the number one focus, or everything else are meaningless. Moreover, your doctor’s reports alongside other medical documents like receipts and bills will be required when navigating court procedures or negotiating with insurance.
Make sure you get checked by a licensed physician as soon as possible after the accident because medical bills are a primary component of financial compensation in accidents and personal injury cases. In many cases, the level of compensation is drastically affected by the type and severity of injuries, as well as the types of treatment and level of care needed before complete recovery.
2. Contact A Good Attorney
Once you receive medical attention, you will also want to speak to an accident attorney. The legal friends at The Terry Law Firm that when you’ve innocently suffered injuries because of someone’s carelessness or negligence, you deserve a seasoned advocate by your side. Accident cases are often complex and quite frustrating, so an expert attorney could be your best chance to max out your financial compensation. Just make sure to hire an attorney who’s reputed and fully committed to fighting for your rights. They can help build a strong case for you even as you heal and recover from the hospital or home.
3. Notify The Police ASAP
After an accident, it is wise to involve law enforcement as soon as you can. This is especially if it is a traffic accident. Police statements also serve as a primary source of evidence in court proceedings and out-of-court compensation negotiations.
4. Get Some Evidence From The Scene If You Can
Needless to say, accidents can have numerous complexities. Accident scenes can be altered or even manipulated over time, sometimes in favor of the guilty party. To maximize your compensation claim, you may want to collect as much evidence at the accident scene as you can if you’re not so badly injured. Here are some helpful pieces of evidence you can collect at the accident scene.
- Take photos of the car/s and other particulars of the scene.
- Write down car details such as registration and plate numbers.
- Note the other driver’s details, including insurance, license number, contacts, and names.
- Note the names of witnesses, if any, alongside their details.
- Take photos of any injuries suffered at the scene.
- Record audio or video testimonies of witnesses if possible.
All these could go a long way in helping you get the most out of your settlement or compensation after an accident claim in court.
5. Contact Your Insurance Provider
If the accident was a collision or another driver bumped into you, it is wise to inform your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. This helps, especially if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured. Still, your coverage provider could also help you seek to pursue compensation from the other party’s insurer in some cases. Whichever the case, avoid speaking or the other party’s insurer without your lawyer’s presence or advice.
6. Observe These Things
Once you have taken the above major steps to safeguard your chances of fair compensation, you are basically good to file your claim. However, there are still a few more things you can do to maximize it. Your lawyer will probably mention them to you, but some of these include the following:
- Think about future damages – like complications, post-treatment expenses, and disability
- File your case on time
- Avoid going social about your case
- Keep your best behavior
Accidents can be ugly, painful, and costly. When you become a victim, you want to get the best outcome from your compensation claim. The above few points will hopefully help you get the most favorable compensation in court or through a settlement negotiation.
