Top 5 Things To Remember After An Accident
Brian O Sutter
Accident Lawyers
When you're involved in an accident, it can create a hectic, confusing, and stressful period of your life. The minutes following an accident all the way up to months down the road are all important, and for those involved in an accident of any kind there are several steps that need to be taken in order to ensure that you are able to move towards the best recovery and get the kind of financial compensation that you are owed.With that in mind, it is well worth taking a look at some of the key things anyone should remember following an accident. Obviously, you need to seek medical attention when you've been injured in an accident. But once that you've made sure you aren't in a medical emergency, there are other steps to remember as well. Here are five of the main things to keep in mind.
1. Take Photos
Every photo of the accident, the area around it, and your vehicles could tell a story to those who are in charge of determining what happened. If possible, try to take photos of the accident and the vehicles. Those who are seriously injured can't do this, but if your injuries aren't severe it's in your best interest to try to get some photos.
2. See A Doctor
Even if you aren't even the slightest bit sore, you still need to seek out medical attention. The reality is that getting medical help is a key part of making sure that your rights are protected. Florida PIP law only gives you a one-week window to do so before you essentially waive your right to medical treatment, and many injuries may not be apparent in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Simply put, go see a doctor even if you don't feel like you need to.
3. Collect Info
From the name and insurance provider of the other party to the names of witnesses to the names of the officer who is filing the accident report, collect all of the info that you can gather. This way you have a number of different resources to help show that you are owed compensation.
4. Learn to Be Patient
An insurance company could throw a settlement offer at you within days of the accident - especially if they know that their client is responsible for the accident. It's important to be a bit more patient, however. Lowball settlement offers mean that you get less than you could be owed and that you forego your chance to seek additional compensation in the future. It's not always easy to know exactly what you are owed, and just taking the first thing that's offered to you isn't always the best idea.
5. Get an Attorney
There's a lot more to getting financial compensation following an accident than many will realize at first. Because of this, it's important to get someone who you can trust to represent your best interests. That someone? A good personal injury lawyer. Not only can they help you understand what steps to take, but they will also be able to help argue for your rights and ensure that any settlement you are offered is actually fair.
These five steps are the keys to making the right kind of recovery following an accident. That recovery goes further than just physical, and regaining financial stability is just as important. Luckily, your personal injury attorney can help.