The last thing anyone wants is to cause an accident. Especially if you’re hurt, it can be a very traumatic experience. However, even if you leave an accident unscathed, it might still disrupt your daily routine. Going through Turco Legal, P.C. might take a long time and a lot of money.
Not knowing what to do in the aftermath of an accident makes the situation much worse. You don’t want to avoid doing anything that could get you in trouble legally or monetarily. Here are eight essential things to do if you’ve been in an accident:
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Hold Up And Take Stock
It’s crucial to seek quick medical assistance after suffering an injury. Even if you’re not wounded, it’s important to ensure everyone is okay and that nothing else bad can happen.
You can safely pull over to the shoulder if the collision is minimal and no one is hurt. However, if the collision is severe, you should leave your car where it is.
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Send In The Cops
When you’re on the wrong side of the road, swapping insurance information and moving on is easy. No matter how trivial an accident may appear, it is always best to contact the authorities. A police record detailing the incident is crucial evidence for your insurance claim. If you end up in court, the report will serve you well as evidence.
When the police arrive, it’s important to give a detailed description of what transpired. However, you should refrain from pointing fingers. Don’t make judgment calls; just provide the police officer with the facts.
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Talk To The Other Driver For Details
Both you and the other driver must have a way to get in touch with each other. Therefore, you must exchange insurance information with the other driver and obtain the following information from them:
- Given Name
- Details for making contact
- Identification information for the insurance provider
This information should be obtained regardless of who was responsible for the accident. If you have coverage for uninsured motorists, your insurance company may still pay for your damages if they don’t.
If the other driver gives you incorrect information or flees the scene, the license plate number will help you track them down. When filing a report with the police, this information will be helpful.
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Collect The Facts
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to work with because they constantly look for methods to reduce the amount they have to pay out. That’s why you must amass as much proof as you can to support your argument.
Take images of the following using your camera or smartphone:
- Your car is in bad shape
- What happened to the other car
- Skid marks, broken glass, and other property damage at the accident scene.
When filing an insurance claim, these photos will be invaluable. They can be used as evidence to show what happened and who is to blame.
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Get Some Help From The Doctors
You should still go to the hospital or doctor after an accident, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Whiplash, for example, may not show symptoms for several days or weeks following an injury.
If you put off seeing a doctor for too long after an accident, the insurance company may try to claim that your wounds are not related to the incident. Get checked out immediately, and remember the importance of an organised medical record.
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Reach Out To Your Providers
After collecting evidence, you should contact your insurance carrier to file a claim for damages. Telling the truth to your insurer is mandatory, even if you believe doing so may increase your premiums. Attempts to conceal or exaggerate the magnitude of the harm could have negative consequences.
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Consult A Lawyer
It takes work to work with insurance providers. They can be difficult to work with since they always look for new ways to save costs. Having a seasoned automobile accident attorney on your side is a wise move.
A lawyer will guide you through the legal system and advocate to ensure you receive your due compensation. So that you may focus on healing, they will also handle communication with the insurance companies.
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Take Legal Action
You may need to launch a lawsuit if you cannot reach a settlement with the insurance provider. You should hire a seasoned attorney for this process.
