What Should I Do After a Car Accident Injury?

When we get into a vehicle and head out, we don’t expect the day will end in a car accident. However, most of us will be in at least one or two car accidents in our lifetime. Unfortunately, some accidents lead to serious injuries. You may feel overwhelmed with the stress, pain, and urgency to deal with the insurance company. While your medical bills pile up, you may feel desperate to get money coming in, especially if you’re unable to work. That’s when the insurance company comes back with a paltry settlement that won’t even begin to pay your bills. 

Insurance companies never have your best interest in mind, regardless of their feel-good mottos, cute brand mascots, and hired actors that are supposed to convey trustworthiness. Don’t give in to pressure to settle for less than what your claim is worth. In fact, you should never settle until you talk to one of our car accident attorneys. You could be leaving a significant amount of money on the table simply because you don’t know your rights. 

The time to get in touch with one of our lawyers is now because a clock started ticking the moment you had your crash. There are strict laws that govern the amount of time you have to seek compensation. The sooner you call us, the more quickly we’ll be able to resolve your claim successfully.

First things first, after a car accident 

Directly after a car accident, there are steps to take to ensure you will be able to collect compensation which include the following:

Call the police - Calling the police is critical to establish liability and to receive emergency services if you’re injured. A police report will be strong evidence when presented to the insurance company and will be vital in any court proceedings. Without a police report, you’ll be stuck in a situation where it’s your word against the other party’s word, which can make things more difficult. 

Gather evidence - If you’re able, take pictures and video of the accident scene. Be sure to document the damage to both vehicles and the surrounding area, including intersections and traffic flow. Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses as their testimony can bolster your version of events.

Get medical help - You should see a doctor as soon as possible after your injury for the sake of your health. Some injuries do not present right away. Concussions, internal bleeding, and spinal injuries can take days to manifest. The only person that’s qualified to determine if you’re okay is your doctor. Seeking medical attention right away can also lessen the amount of time it will take to recover. Additionally, a doctor’s documentation is extremely valuable when determining the amount of compensation you should receive. 

Contact Morgan & Morgan car accident injury lawyers - As stated earlier, the sooner you get someone who will look out for your best interests, the better. Insurance companies use all types of tactics to undermine legitimate claims. You could inadvertently say something that will hurt your claim, and they phrase questions in such a way as to make you sound like you’re not as injured as you actually are. Our lawyers will advise you on how to communicate with the other party’s insurance adjuster. 

What to avoid after a car accident injury - While it’s vital to know what to do after a car accident injury, it’s also important to understand what not to do. Don’t make the following critical mistakes.

Not making a police report - When you believe you’ve only been in a minor car accident, it’s tempting to simply exchange information with the other driver and get on with your day. However, as mentioned previously, some injuries aren’t apparent right away. Even whiplash, which can be excruciating, sometimes takes a while to become evident. Some people have symptoms that can last for longer than three months. Some people even experience permanent symptoms. Without a police report documenting the accident, your chances of getting the kind of compensation you’ll need to deal with supposed “minor” injuries are diminished. 

Admitting blame - Never admit responsibility for a car accident. It’s natural to want to show that you care for the other party, but if you say, “I’m sorry,” that statement can be used against you later. Even if you feel that you have some responsibility, don’t admit to it. 

Accepting an insufficient settlement - Don’t fall for insurance company strong arm tactics. You don’t have to accept their settlement offer if it’s unfair. Furthermore, you should let your lawyer decide what’s fair as they have extensive experience in similar situations and know what injuries like yours are truly worth. 

What are common injuries after a car accident?

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. Most commonly, people suffer from whiplash, bruised ribs, lacerations, headaches or migraines, broken bones, neck and back pain, as well as soft tissue injuries. Something could be wrong if you feel pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or a decreased range of motion. 

Soft tissue damage can show up as bruising and swelling of the muscles and tendons and can be very painful to endure. Even though it’s very common, there’s no reason for you not to get compensated for your pain and discomfort, even if it only lasts a few weeks. Some soft tissue damage requires physical therapy to get better, which can be costly. 

Severe injuries can have lifelong consequences. A brain injury can cause permanent physical and mental disabilities. You may have issues completing second nature tasks, like playing video games or even checking out at the grocery store. Physical tasks like walking, talking, and carrying objects may be difficult. You may even experience changes to your personality, which will impact your personal relationships. 

Spinal injuries and herniated discs are also associated with car accidents, which can result in lifelong pain and even paralysis if left untreated. Never assume you’re not injured after a car accident. If your car shows evidence of the accident, it’s likely your body does, too, even if you don’t know it yet. Every car accident victim has a right to be examined and get treated. 

How long after a car accident can I claim injury?

It can come as a shock to get into a car accident. In some cases, you may literally be in shock and aren’t thinking clearly about your next move. Some people even experience post-traumatic stress disorder, which can make survivors want to avoid thinking about the crash. But according to insurance rules and state laws, you have a finite amount of time to make a claim or move forward with a lawsuit. Many insurance companies expect to be notified of a claim within a few days after the wreck. If you wait longer, it gives them fuel to minimize or deny your claim. 

With a lawsuit, it all depends on your state’s statute of limitations laws. Generally, you will have at least one year except if you are suing a government entity. Then you have significantly less time, and the rules are far more complex. 

Some exceptions can be made to the statute of limitations, such as if you were incapacitated as a result of a car accident. Suppose you are physically unable to file a lawsuit. In that case, the courts may grant an extension. Still, you will have to provide medical evidence that shows you were incapacitated. 

What will my Morgan & Morgan car accident lawyer do for me?

When you are the victim of a car accident, the last thing you want to be saddled with is stressful arguments with insurance companies. We can take this off your plate and so much more. Generally speaking, we provide the following services.

Communicate with other parties on your behalf -  Negotiation is an art, and you need a lawyer who has excellent communication skills as well as the capacity to build equitable relationships. 

Gathering evidence to prove liability - Proving liability is the cornerstone of a successful claim. Our lawyers will not only examine photos and police reports and talk to witnesses, but they may even do a physical inspection of the scene of the accident. It’s possible that there is something that was overlooked by the police that may have contributed to the accident. 

Gathering evidence of damages - You may think getting the necessary documentation from your doctor would be easy. Still, it’s our experience that sometimes you need to be proactive and persistent. There are procedures that need to be followed to collect medical records, and if you don’t, you’ll experience delays. Perhaps most importantly, we will make sure that your medical records reflect the causation of injuries as well as the prognosis and any temporary or permanent disabilities.  

Lienholder negotiations - It’s not common knowledge, but if your health insurance covers your injuries, they will expect to get reimbursed after your settlement. We can work with any lien holders to minimize the amount you will have to pay back. 

Represent you in a court of law - While the majority of car accidents are resolved with settlements, sometimes no agreement can be made between you and other parties. Suppose your claim is complicated by previous injuries, and the insurance company won’t budge and refuses to pay because they claim their client didn’t cause your injuries. In that case, the only way to resolve this dispute may be a lawsuit. Our attorneys build each case they take on as if it will end up in a courtroom. This may seem like a no-brainer, but many personal injury lawyers will do anything to avoid getting bogged down in a trial, even if it means accepting an insufficient settlement. 

That’s something our lawyers would never do. You have a right to get the full value of your claim, and we aim to make sure that happens. If you’re ready to fight for your future, we'll be standing right beside you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let us show you the Morgan & Morgan difference.