Have you recently suffered an injury in a car accident caused by another person’s carelessness? If so, you likely have questions about compensation for the financial strain caused by the accident and your injuries. Not everyone needs a car injury lawyer. However, you have nothing to lose from speaking to one about the details of your case. Car accident victims overwhelmingly receive more in settlement when they have legal representation.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
Car crashes are shocking in nature. You never expect it to happen. Therefore, you never feel prepared. However, you can take a few steps in the aftermath that will help you prove your claim and recover damages. Consider the following things you should do in the wake of an auto accident:
- Report the accident. If anyone suffered an injury, you should call 911 right away. The police will come, along with emergency medical services. Not all collisions result in severe property damage or bodily harm. However, that does not mean you should not call the police. Most states do not require police to arrive on the scene unless someone suffers an injury and there is substantial property damage, but you can still report the crash online.
- Collect evidence at the scene. If you are physically able, you should begin documenting everything as soon as possible. Take photographs of the position of both vehicles and the damage done. Record any visible bodily injuries, and write down the accident details while they are freshest in your mind.
- Gather contact information. Ask the other driver to provide their name and contact information. Then take photographs of their driver’s license and insurance card. Also, gather the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses at the scene, including other passengers.
- Speak with a car injury lawyer. An attorney can help you understand the potential for compensation and whether you may need legal representation.
Every state has a statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits, which means you only have a short time to file before the court refuses to review your case. In most states, the statute of limitations for a car accident case is three years.
What Should You Not Do?
What you do not do in the aftermath of a car wreck is just as important as what you should do. So here are a few things you should avoid doing:
- Talking about the accident. In the immediate aftermath of a jarring event, wanting to talk is a normal reaction. However, you could inadvertently admit blame. For example, apologizing implies fault.
- Discussing the accident on social media. Social media is almost an addiction for some, and while it can be a great way to share your life with friends and family, it could also be the demise of your case. If you file a lawsuit, part of the insurance company’s investigation will likely be to monitor your social media content.
- Not seeking medical attention. If you suffered an injury, even a minor one, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the insurance company can argue that your injuries were sustained elsewhere or worsened by your lack of medical care. Additionally, medical records act as an essential piece of evidence to support your claim for compensation.
- Not reporting the accident. Failing to report the accident could damage your case if you develop latent injuries or symptoms that require medical attention.
Ultimately, your goal should be to speak only with professionals, such as a doctor and an attorney, after the accident.
When Should You Contact a Car Injury Lawyer?
Not all car accidents require the assistance of an attorney. For example, minor collisions resulting in minimum damage to the vehicle and no bodily injuries are typically quickly resolved. However, some situations where you should call an attorney include:
- If the insurance company does not act in good faith, such as denying a valid claim, ignoring your communication requests, or misrepresenting the policy language
- If you have questions about the validity of the police report
- If your accident occurred in a school or construction zone
- If there are questions about liability
- If you or someone else sustained a severe injury
- If you lost a loved one as a result of the accident
- If the crash involved a commercial truck, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist
Car injury lawyers typically work on contingency, meaning they do not require upfront fees to represent you in court and only receive a payment if they settle your case. Additionally, they offer free consultations to listen to the details of your accident and determine if you are a good fit.
What Damages Can You Recover From a Car Accident Injury?
The losses you can recover from a car accident are called compensatory damages. These include the economic and non-economic consequences of the crash and your injuries. Examples are:
- The wages lost as a result of missed work, both current and in the future
- Loss of earning capacity
- The bills collected as a result of medical care, including medications and treatments from hospitals and out-patient clinics
- The cost of property damage, either repairing or replacing the vehicle
- The cost of disability accommodations at home, including structure renovations, household help, and childcare assistance
- Pain and suffering caused by physical injury
- Mental anguish and emotional distress caused by the development of depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of the companionship of a loved one
- Loss of consortium if you lost a spouse
- Loss of the capability to enjoy your life
- Expenses related to a funeral and burial or cremation if you lost a loved one
Because every accident is unique, the damages related to your accident may vary. One of the benefits of hiring a car injury lawyer is they will help you collect the necessary evidence to prove your claim.
Punitive Damages
If the at-fault party in your accident behaved in a way that displayed no regard for the duty of care owed to other drivers, resulting in substantial damages or death, the court might award you punitive damages. Punitive damages do not compensate for any loss. Instead, they act as a punishment for the defendant’s actions, such as driving recklessly and intoxicated.
What Can a Car Injury Lawyer Do for You?
Filing a car accident lawsuit can be confusing, and dealing with insurance companies while trying to heal from a severe injury is a burden you should not have to bear. Additionally, you deserve legal representation that can help you recover compensation for your losses, allowing you to access adequate treatment for your injuries and get your life back on track. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we understand the legal process and how to use it to get the help you need. We also know the financial burdens that car injury victims face, and we aim to alleviate some of that burden by charging no upfront fee for our services. That is why we have the Stone Cold Guarantee, and the first element clearly states that we only get paid when we secure payment for you. Contact Jason Stone Injury Lawyers today for your free consultation. We will listen to the details of your case and let you know what we can do for you. There’s No Obligation, Just Information (R).
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