Being injured in a car accident can be one of the most terrifying experiences you'll ever have to endure. In fact, every year, about 3 million Americans are injured in auto accidents. Here in Wisconsin last year, there were 23,747 injury crashes with 540 of them being fatal accidents. Even if you recover from your injuries, it can still be hard financially if you don't get the compensation you deserve.
Here are six basic steps you need to take if you're injured in a vehicle accident, along with the importance of using an experienced personal injury lawyer.
1. GET YOUR CAR TO SAFETY AND CHECK YOUR PASSENGERS
See if you can move your vehicle to a sidewalk or the side of the road to prevent it from being a safety hazard. But if this is impossible, turn on your hazard lights and get out of the car. If you have passengers, help them get out and check on their well-being. If anyone has been injured, call 911 for an ambulance.
2. CONTACT THE POLICE
Call law enforcement so that you can get a police report. In addition to conducting an investigation, a police report is needed in which the parties involved in the accident are interviewed as well as any witnesses. Also, a law enforcement official is needed to examine the vehicles and where the accident occurred. This helps in determining who caused the accident. Realize that not having a police report can lead to each party blaming the other one for what happened.
3. LOOK FOR ANY WITNESSES AND ASK FOR THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION
See if there are any people who witnessed the accident, and then ask them for their contact information. Unfortunately, it's common for third-party witnesses to flee the scene of an accident because they don't want to get involved. Without witnesses, it's your word vs. whatever the other driver says.
4. GET TREATED FOR INJURIES
If you think you were injured, it's critical you seek immediate medical attention. Be sure to give a detailed description of all your injuries because you'll want these documented. Consider how insurance companies rely on medical records for evaluating injury claims.
Even if you believe you weren't injured, it's still a good idea to get checked out because sometimes injuries from vehicle accidents aren't apparent at first. Putting off getting treated can mean that your insurance company will argue that you weren't really injured by the accident.
5. CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT, BUT DON'T SIGN ANY AGREEMENTS BEFORE CONSULTING A LAWYER
Even if you didn't cause the accident, call your insurance company because you'll need to notify them that you were in an auto crash, just in case the other driver is not insured. Another reason is that your insurance agent can give your personal injury lawyer helpful information regarding the other driver, besides any insurance coverage they may carry.
Be very careful not to sign a release or another agreement waiving your rights to be compensated for your injuries before having a chance to consult with your doctors and a qualified attorney. Insurance companies try to get people to sign away their rights by offering small amounts of money before they get legal representation. Do not fall for this. You have three years from the date of the accident to resolve your claim. Do not sign anything until you are fully recovered from your injuries and have a chance to discuss your claim with an attorney.
6. HIRE A HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED WISCONSIN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
Your attorney has your back, which isn't the case when it comes to your insurance company. If you were hurt in an auto accident and were not at fault, you need to contact a high-quality personal injury attorney who can ensure you get compensated for your injuries.
A good attorney knows how to properly guide you throughout every step of the process and can help you settle your claim for property damage as well as get your car repaired and obtain financial coverage for a rental vehicle. They can also see that medical providers give you the treatment you need and file a lawsuit or negotiate with your insurance company.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND WARNINGS
- Take photos of your car from various angles to show any damage that's been done to both of the vehicles. Also, take a photo of the license plate of the other car. This can help to support your personal insurance claim.
- Watch what you say while waiting for law enforcement to arrive at the scene. Consider that it's important that you don't give your view as to what caused the accident. It's best to just exchange the needed information and say as little as possible.
Do you need an exceptional Wisconsin car accident lawyer who can make sure you get all the compensation coming to you? Then look no further than Bykhovsky Law LLC. We have represented injured people for over eighteen years and we are committed to getting you the compensation and care you deserve. No upfront Fees.
Contact us for a free consultation.
