If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident, there are a few things you need to do. If you don’t follow these steps after a car accident, you may jeopardize your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries. If you are afraid that you’ve already made a few errors, don’t worry. Just make sure you call and talk to experienced Carrollton car wreck attorneys as soon as possible. They’ll review your case and see what they can do to fix your mistakes.
Here, we’ll discuss the 4 things you must do in the days after a car accident. If you follow these guidelines, there’s a good chance you’ll be entitled to damages.
There are 4 Things You Must Do After a Car Accident
There are several things you need do in the moments and days after a car accident. First, you need to call 911. It doesn’t matter how minor the crash is, you don’t have a choice in this matter. Second, you need to go to the hospital. Even if you think you’re fine, you need to get checked out by a doctor. Third, you need to meet with an experienced Carrollton car wreck attorney.
Finally, you need to file your claim with the insurance company. If you don’t do these things after a car accident, there’s a chance you won’t be able to pursue the other driver for damages.
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You Have to Call the Police Immediately After a Car Accident
The first thing you need to do in the moments after a car accident is call 911. No matter what the other driver says, you cannot agree to not call the police. You need to make sure they come out and do a thorough investigation of the accident. They’ll document their findings in their police report. This report will prove to be very valuable to your Carrollton car wreck attorney.
Some of the information included in the police report is:
- The names, registration, and insurance information for the drivers involved
- Contact information for both drivers
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Statements made by witnesses and the drivers
- Description of the road conditions
- Pictures of the vehicles and the accident scene
- Notations of any tickets or arrests made at the crash scene
Without this report, your Carrollton injury attorneys will have a very hard time proving your case.
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You Must Go to the Emergency Room Regardless of How Minor the Crash Is
Like it or not, you have to go to the hospital after a car accident. You have no idea if you’re injured or not. You may feel fine. However, you could have internal injuries. Plus, the only way your Carrollton injury attorney can prove that you were hurt is to submit a copy of your medical records.
Once you get to the emergency room, they’ll conduct the necessary tests to determine if you’re injured. These include the following:
- X-rays
- MRI
- CT scan
- Physical examination
- Neurological examination
The important thing here is that you check to make sure you’re okay after a car accident. If you have a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding, you need treatment immediately. If left untreated, these injuries can prove to be very dangerous – even fatal.
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Make Sure You Contact a Carrollton Car Wreck Attorney Right Away
The next thing you need to do after a car accident is call and talk to a Carrollton car wreck attorney. They can review your case and determine if you’re entitled to damages. They can also review your case and see what it may be worth.
The other thing they can do after a car accident is help you file your insurance claim. If the insurance company doesn’t think you have an attorney, they may try to take advantage of you. For example, they may ignore your calls and emails. Or they may deny your claim, hoping you’ll just walk away. The other thing they may try to do is offer you a low settlement. They know you’re worried about how you’ll pay your medical bills after a car accident. They’ll offer you a small settlement hoping you’ll accept it, desperate for cash.
Once the insurance adjuster realizes you’ve hired an experienced Carrollton injury lawyer after a car accident, they may be more willing to take your case seriously. They know your attorney won’t be intimidated. They also know your attorney won’t let you settle for less than you deserve.
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Your Carrollton Injury Attorneys Can Help File Your Insurance Claim
While there is nothing wrong with filing your own insurance claim after a car accident, it’s a good idea to let your Carrollton injury attorney help. Our Carrollton car wreck attorneys have decades of combined experience dealing with insurance adjusters. They know what information needs to be provided to the insurance carrier. They also understand how important it is that your claim be filed on time.
If you have already filed your claim after a car accident, that’s okay. If for some reason it’s denied, your Carrollton car wreck attorney can always file an appeal on your behalf. Depending on the reason for the denial, they may be able to negotiate payment of your claim. Of course, until they have a chance to review your claim, they won’t know for sure what the likelihood of having your claim paid will be.
Don’t Make Your Carrollton Car Wreck Attorney’s Job Any Harder Than It Already Is
When you first meet with your Carrollton car wreck attorney, they’re going to review your case. They’ll want to see a copy of the police report. They’ll also need to see a copy of your medical records if possible. You should also provide them with copies of any correspondence you’ve received regarding the accident. This way, they can help you determine if you have a valid claim for damages after a car accident.
If so, they may be willing to handle your case. If, however, they don’t feel you have a valid claim for damages, they’ll let you know. Hopefully, if you have done the things outlined here, your chances of recovering damages after a car accident will be good.
We suggest you contact our office as soon as possible. Schedule your free, initial consultation with a Carrollton injury attorney over the phone or through our website. Since you don’t pay our firm anything until we settle your claim, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
