What To Do After A Car Accident
What To Do After A Car Accident
If you are in a car accident, you need to ensure you follow the proper protocol so you can protect your rights and preserve evidence for a personal injury claim so you can recover compensation for your damages. Regardless of the severity of the crash, you should always stay on the accident scene and call the police. It is important to make sure an accident report is filed, so you will have evidence that shows the accident happened, what happened, and what damages resulted.
Other things that you can do at the accident scene to help with your claim are to take photos of the accident scene and of the damages, if you are physically able to do so. If there are any eyewitnesses, ask them to provide written statements and to include their names and contact details. Witness statements can have a significant impact on the outcome of your personal injury claim. Also, look to see if there are surveillance cameras or traffic cameras in the area. If there are cameras, they might have caught the accident on video. Any videos can be used as evidence and could help support your claim.
Maintaining Documentation
A car crash can lead to a variety of damages, so be sure to maintain documentation to support your claim and to prove what damages you suffered. Keep any towing bills, rental car receipts, written estimates for repairing your damaged vehicle, any medical records, medical bills, proof of missed work and lost wages, the accident report, witness statements, and any photos of the accident scene, damages, and injuries.
A variety of damages could result from a single crash. When you file a personal injury claim, you will want to itemize all your damages, put a value for each damage, and then come up with the total value of your settlement. Your personal injury lawyer will determine your losses and will negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company in attempt to settle the case out of court. The more supporting documentation and evidence that you have, the more likely you are to get a fair settlement for your auto accident injury claim.
Damages Suffered In A Car Crash
When you file a claim against the liable party for your damages, you will want to be sure all your damages are included and itemized. Here are some of the more common damages claimed after a motor vehicle collision:
- Property damages
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
If you have been in an auto accident, you should enlist the help of a personal injury attorney who is licensed in your state. A personal injury lawyer is familiar with the state laws surrounding personal injury claims, will gather supporting documentation and evidence, and will build a strong claim to help you recover compensation for the damages suffered in the crash. Schedule your free case review with The Harlan Law Firm today.
Located in the Portland, OR area? We’ve got you covered!