Being injured in an accident can be frightening and disorienting. At Jones & Swanson, we have successfully represented hundreds of injured clients. If you are involved in a crash, there are several steps you should take to stay safe and protect your rights to compensation.
Based upon our 40 years of legal experience, here are a few things to remember to do and not to do as soon as possible after an injury-related accident:
What You Should Do:
- Get help. If you are involved in a car wreck, it is important to call 911 as soon as possible. Contact local law enforcement and emergency medical personnel for immediate attention. If you are injured, stay still and don’t try to move.
- Move to safety. If the car is blocking traffic and you are uninjured, it is best to move it to the side of the road. This can help avoid an incident of a car hitting your vehicle. However, if the car is not movable or you are injured, it is best to wait for emergency personnel to arrive and handle the situation.
- Document the scene. Gathering evidence at the scene of the accident can help you pursue compensation. If you are uninjured, you should get the contact information for any witnesses right away, and ask them to stay until help arrives. You should also take pictures or videos of your injuries, as well as any property damage that may have occurred. If possible, write down the badge number and name of the responding police officer and request a copy of the accident report. You can also write down everything you remember about the accident, including weather conditions, order of events, and other details that can help build your case.
- Seek medical attention. If you are injured, it is important to seek medical treatment right away from the nearest ER or your doctor. Some injuries, such as concussions and soft tissue damage, may not present symptoms for a matter of hours or even days after the incident. That is why it is important to see your doctor right after an accident, even if you don’t feel pain. If you wait to see your doctor, the insurance company may try to claim your injuries did not result from the accident. After receiving medical attention, you should request a copy of your medical records to use when seeking compensation.
- Report the incident to your insurance company. While the claim is against the at fault parties insurance company it is still important to notify your insurance company. Your auto policy may have benefits like medical payments coverage that you can use to lower your medical bills. Also, should theat-faultt party not have enough insurance coverage to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, a claim may be made against your insurance if you have uninsured/underinsured coverage.
- Call Jones & Swanson at (770) 427-5498 to discuss your potential claim. These issues are confusing and can be very stressful. We are her to help. Put our years of experience to work for you. Our firm has handled hundreds of cases involving car accidents and we’re standing by to help you with your personal injury claim. We will make sure that you are properly compensated for your injuries. Let us handle the investigation and deal with the insurance adjuster so you can focus on getting better and getting back to work.
What You Should Not Do:
- DO NOT give statements about your case. If you are contacted by the other party’s insurance company, do not give any statements regarding the accident or your injuries. Furthermore, you should avoid posting anything about the case on social media. Public posts may be used against you in court, and can hinder your ability to seek compensation. While social media is a great way to update friends and family, a post or picture may be taken out of context and used by insurance companies to prove your injuries are less severe than you claim. Overall, avoid speaking with the other party’s insurance company or others about the accident until the case is resolved.
- DO NOT wait to go to the doctor. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Seeing a trusted doctor is the only way for you to ensure that you are getting the care you need. Remember that injuries and pain management show themselves until a few days or weeks following the accident. At the first signs of pain please go to the doctor. Having documentation from a doctor is critical to making a claim against the at fault parties insurance company.
- DO NOT sign any documents or accept any money from an insurance company before contacting Jones & Swanson. Insurance companies often try to offer the lowest settlement possible for your injuries. With our experienced Marietta car accident lawyers, you can understand your options and fight to pursue the compensation you deserve. It is important to avoid signing any release documents that waive your right to pursue compensation, even if you think you are uninjured. That way, if your injuries appear later on, you will still be able to file a claim for compensation.
The most common mistake made after an accident is failing to seek legal representation right away. Only a qualified personal injury attorney can fully evaluate your claim and explain your rights. The Atlanta accident lawyers at Jones & Swanson have experience representing victims in a variety of accidents, and we will take all steps necessary to maximize the value of your case.
The most common mistake made after an accident is failing to seek legal representation right away. Only a qualified personal injury attorney can fully evaluate your claim and explain your rights. The Atlanta accident lawyers at Jones & Swanson have experience representing victims in a variety of accidents and will take all steps necessary to maximize the value of your case.
