Anyone injured or who has sustained damages to their vehicle in a car accident has a right to get compensated for their damages and injuries. However, the compensation that a victim can get will depend on the insurance companies, state laws, and the severity of the accident.
To get compensated, the victims have to claim with the at-fault insurance company if they are in a fault state, their insurer if in a no-fault state, or both insurance companies. If you have been in a car accident, it is crucial to talk to a car accident attorney in your state to know your options.
A Charlotte car accident attorney or any other reputable car accident attorney in your state will see to it that your rights are protected, and you get compensated after the accident. Here is what you can do to ensure that you are paid.
Have a Copy of the Police Report
It is vital to file a report with the police after an accident. Their involvement in the accident is beneficial to your claim. A police report will confirm that the accident happened and can also help determine the at-fault party.
The at-fault party may want to keep the cops out of it, but do not agree to this. It may cost you your compensation because they may not fully compensate you for your damages. Your priority is to protect your compensation. This starts with getting the police to record everything they can about the accident, including your injuries and the damages to your property.
Have a Report of the Accident Scene
Though the police will also note down several things about the accident, it is important that you do the same too. Write down everything you can remember about the accident and the at-fault driver. Do not draw any conclusions. For example, you cannot conclusively say that the other driver was speeding.
Document the weather and road conditions, number of witnesses, their statements, and contact information. If you could take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries, you should also include them in your report.
Your car accident attorney will use your report to review your case, gather evidence to prove fault and your damages to ensure you get maximum compensation. Remember to have a description of the accident before you forget some details.
Have a Medical Record
You should seek medical treatment after the accident. Do not try to nurse your injuries at home, no matter how simple they may look. You cannot tell if you sustained severe internal injuries without a thorough medical examination.
To support your claim, you will need to have a medical record, which includes the treatments administered, a doctor’s report, medication, transport costs to and from the hospital, physical therapy sessions, hospital bills, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to the injuries. It should also include the future medical attention that you need.
Keep a Journal
While it is easy to prove injuries and damages, proving non-economic damages such as trauma, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other intangible effects of the accident is not easy. To help support your claim for such damages, keep a journal of what you have to go through because of your injuries, disability, and the accident’s psychological effects.
It would help if you also documented the accident’s impact on your family, career, and your usual way of life. Your lawyer will use this and your medical records to calculate the cost of your damages and negotiate the right compensation.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney
You need a good and experienced car accident attorney from your state to help you with the claims process since there are several laws and procedures that you have to follow when filing your claim. To ensure that your claim is not rejected or denied, you should work with an attorney and get everything right.
