It’s hard enough to deal with a car accident. And it is even worse when you are sure the accident was not your fault. You’re wondering what to do and how to deal with the unexpected expenses. If you weren’t at fault for an automobile accident, you don’t deserve to pay for your injuries and damages.
You should hire a knowledgeable car accident lawyer to get started on the right path. Let’s go through the following sections to discover what you can do after a car crash that wasn’t your fault.
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What to Do Immediately After the Accident?
After a car crash, stay calm. Check to ensure that you’re alright. If you aren’t, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you don’t know any top-rated medical facility where you can receive good quality care, you can keep in touch with an experienced lawyer.
In most cases, experienced attorneys have connections with top-rated medical facilities and health experts. They’ll connect you to the right doctor immediately. If the injuries are too minor, move your car to the roadside to sidestep obstructing other road users. Only move it if you’re able.
Call the Police
The law requirements for reporting a car accident vary slightly from one state to another. If you’re involved in an accident, fleeing the scene is a crime. You’re required by the law to call the police, especially when there is:
- Property damage worth over $500
- A death or serious injuries
- A car crash in a city or town that needs an accident report
You’ll also need to report the car crash if your insurer requires it. Call the police and give a precise explanation of what has just happened. The at-fault motorist fleeing the accident scene means they’ve committed a hit-and-run crime. You’ll still need to report the incident to the police, if this is the case.
Collect Information as You Wait for the Police
If the accident was clearly another driver’s fault, that driver needs to report the occurrence. You’ll only prove that the incident took place with enough evidence. That is why it’s advisable to collect enough information before you can leave the scene. Information that can serve as an accident evidence includes the following:
- At-fault motorist’s license number, address, and name
- Photos of the incident, showing the at-fault motorist’s license number and the site of damage
- Addresses, phone numbers, and names of witnesses, as well as their statements about the crash
- The at-fault motorist’s insurance company name and policy number
The at-fault party is responsible for reporting the car crash, but as you already know, not everyone adheres to the law. Collecting information helps prove the incident occurred and provides the resulting damage. On top of that you’ll need to file a personal injury lawsuit with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company.
Let Your Insurance Company Know You’ve Been Involved in a Car Accident
The insurance company of the at-fault motorist should be responsible for your losses, damages, and injuries. As long as you had no fault at all, you need to receive the fair compensation you lawfully require.
However, the situation is infrequently cut and dry. Insurers are for-profit businesses, always looking to minimize their bottom line. It’s possible to receive pushback from the at-fault party’s insurance firm. They may:
- Try to blame you for the car accident in part or whole
- Deny your case altogether
- Provide you with a lower settlement amount
In order to protect yourself, inform your insurer about the crash. At the minimum, it’ll establish good faith with the insurer, alerting them in case the other motorist’s insurance company denies all liability for your car crash. A lawyer can help you do this if you aren’t able to.
Continue with Your Medical Treatment
You must have already visited your doctor for a checkup and treatment if you suffered minor or major injuries. Some injuries, like whiplash, take an extended period to develop. That means you mightn’t feel them immediately after the accident. A continuous check-up by a health expert ensures proactive treatment.
Also, visiting a health expert regularly for checkups and treatment shows your insurance firm that you’re involved in an accident and need enough medical care. They are only likely to compensate you for losses and damages that have clear and enough evidence.
