5 Steps to Take After Sustaining an Injury From a Wreck
California Traffic Safety Statistics show 4,285 auto accidents in 2021 and a growth of over 300 since 2020. Unfortunately, many victims of these accidents either lose their lives or incur overwhelming healthcare bills. What five steps should you take next if you’re involved in a wreck and sustain injuries?
1- Reporting the Accident to the Highway Patrol
Reporting a wreck to the authorities is not just a formality; it’s a crucial step in ensuring a conclusive accident report. This report can be a powerful tool, especially if the liable driver is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
The police can arrest them for their crimes, making a legal claim against a drunk driver more viable if there are criminal charges and the driver is convicted. This process is designed to protect you and ensure justice is served.
2- Collect the Liable Driver’s Insurance Information
Collecting the liable driver’s insurance information enables an insurance claim for your injuries and property damage. Your request could also alert the authorities if the driver isn’t insured.
Filing a claim through their insurance provider may give you adequate compensation and help avoid a legal claim. If their insurer denies you coverage, an attorney could negotiate to get a settlement.
3- Seek Medical Assistance for Injuries
Seeking medical assistance is not just a recommendation; it’s a vital step in your recovery. Even if your injuries don’t seem serious, getting them checked is important. Emergency room doctors perform scans and assessments to pinpoint injuries and damage.
Sometimes, a follow-up exam uncovers more profound conditions like brain or neck injuries. Attending a follow-up exam gives you adequate care but also substantiates your claim. The medical documentation shows how you were injured and how the injuries affected your livelihood.
4- Calculate Economic Losses Caused by the Accident
Economic losses include medical expenses, loss of income, and auto repair costs. Collect invoices from all doctors who provide treatment for these injuries. Request at least three estimates from credible auto repair shops offering a median price for repairing your car. Calculate the exact amount for your lost wages.
Remember that you must have a medical leave form or documentation showing you cannot work due to these injuries. Voluntary work absences without the validation of a doctor’s excuse could reflect poorly on your claim. Speaking to an attorney could help define your rights and guide you on what to do.
5- Hire an Attorney
Hire an attorney if you do not receive compensation through an insurance claim. Upon discovering that the liable driver isn’t insured, consult an attorney. Most attorneys will visit you at the hospital if you’re severely injured. However, you must refrain from speaking to the accountable driver or anyone connected to or representing them.
Opposing legal teams strategically shut down legal claims or trick victims into accepting a low-ball offer. They misrepresent facts to scare victims, and these strategies often work. If anyone contacts you, redirect them to your attorney.
Motor vehicle accident claims are complex and require extensive legal knowledge and effective strategies. Completing these five steps helps if you’re injured in an accident.
Personal injury attorneys are advocates who protect your rights and ensure you don’t fall victim to common tactics. If you’ve sustained injuries in an accident, contacting an attorney is crucial in protecting yourself and your rights.
