5 Do’s and Don’ts of Car Accidents
A car accident can be a traumatizing experience, and you may not consider that there are people who can help you take care of things after the fact.
A car accident lawyer, often called a personal injury lawyer, can help you get compensation for your injuries, and take care of legal matters while you are recovering post-accident.
1. Don’t stress about extra work
You may feel like pursuing legal action will take extra effort on your part. It may feel like it will be too much to handle while you are injured and dealing with other matters.
Your lawyer’s job is to take care of the work. Your job is to provide the information. The more documentation, photo proof, and other proof you can provide your lawyer, the more quickly and effectively they will be able to work your case. Your lawyer will do the rest while you take care of yourself.
2. Do contact the lawyer as soon as possible
After an accident, you will have some things to take care of. You will have to exchange information with any other parties involved, you may need to speak with the authorities, and you will want to contact your insurance provider. But, after some of the more pressing essentials are taken care of, contacting your car accident lawyer is next in line. It’s important to have all information from the accident fresh and available so that your lawyer can accurately assess the case.
You do actually have 120 days from the date of the accident to let the other party involved in the accident know that you are pursuing legal action. This seems like a long time, but the longer you wait, the more likely it is to slip away from you.
3. Do consider and inquire about your options
If the accident was not your fault and depending on the circumstances, you may want to sue the other driver for negligence. These claims can be made, for instance, if the driver was intoxicated or if they were using their cell phone while driving. They can also be charged if the accident was caused by their failure to obey traffic laws.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer doesn’t always mean suing an at-fault driver. It can also mean getting the lawyer to help you with your insurance claim. Often, insurance companies will first offer a lower amount that you are really entitled to, an offer that many people simply accept. It can take a skilled lawyer to know that there is more where that came from, and to make sure you are receiving the full amount.
4. Don’t try to take things into your own hands
Car accident lawyers are trained professionals who know what to do and what to avoid doing. In trying to take care of things yourself, you could end up making mistakes that could hurt your chances of ever being compensated whether it is a liability claim or an insurance claim.
Bringing a lawyer in from the beginning means that they can make informed decisions on your behalf, or you can make informed decisions with their help. Bringing a lawyer in later could mean they have to spend time fixing any errors that were made.
5. Do find a lawyer you trust
Your lawyer will be handling some of your most personal issues, and working very closely with you for potentially a long time. Find a car accident lawyer you trust and who you feel comfortable being with and communicating with. Having a good relationship with your lawyer will ease your stress levels and may help them to do their job better too.
