Acting quickly and decisively after an auto accident can be challenging, but to ensure proper compensation you must consider your accident claim. Protecting your financial situation now and in the future is vital, and the things you do, and don't do, after an accident could continue to negatively affect your life for a long time. Read on for some tips on first actions to take to ensure you recover well and get paid the monetary damages you need and deserve.
Don't Refuse Medical Care at the Scene
You may be stunned by your wreck, but feel unhurt. You should understand, however, that you are not the best judge of your health during these key moments after a wreck. No matter how you are feeling, take a trip in the ambulance, go to the emergency room, or see your doctor right away to ensure that you are not in any danger. Some injuries, such as head injuries, take a while to become apparent, so don't hesitate to seek help even if it's been some time since your wreck; it's not too late. The need to seek medical care is not just for your own health and good, but is a must if you are to seek compensation from the at-fault driver for causing you this misery and pain.
Keep Up With Your Records
It is not just medical records that will prove to be important to your case, but all types of records. Make sure that you begin a file containing all paperwork relating to the accident. Your file might contain:
- the accident report (or police report)
- photos of your wrecked vehicle and of your injuries
- medical receipts (for everything from hospitalizations to medications)
- pay stubs and a list of all time missed from work
- insurance information (your own and the other driver's)
- estimates of repair or replacement of your car
and more.
Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney
Most people have no idea how much they are entitled to gain from filing suit against the other side when they are involved in a wreck. Expecting the insurance carrier to provide you with an adequate settlement is a waste of valuable time, and no insurance settlement is going to pay you for things like lost wages and pain and suffering. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the quicker you can get started on getting your life back to normal again. Contact companies like Teresa P Williams for more information.