A car accident can happen in a matter of seconds, but the aftermath can continue to impact your life much longer than that, especially if you sustained severe injuries that will require time to recover from. If you have never been involved in an accident, you likely do not know what to expect afterward. Given how common these unfortunate incidents are, it is important to know what might happen next and how you can effectively handle any potential obstacles.
BELOW IS AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU MIGHT FACE AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT:
Preserve evidence: After checking to see if everyone is okay, or if anyone is in need of emergency medical assistance, you should begin to preserve the evidence. This includes calling 911 to get a police accident report filed, taking pictures of the scene, and getting statements from witnesses if there were any. You should also exchange information with the driver and any passengers involved.
Injuries: Regardless if you think your injuries were minor or if you feel fine, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible. Many injuries, especially soft tissue injuries, do not produce symptoms right away, which means a major health problem could be brewing without you being aware of it. Protect your personal injury claim and your health and make sure you see a doctor.
Talking to the insurance company: You will likely receive a call from the at-fault party’s insurance company after the accident. You only need to provide basic information, such as when and where the accident took place, your name, and address. Remember, their goal will be to reduce or eliminate your chances of obtaining compensation, so they will try to get you to say things that might be used to weaken your claim. If you are not sure about something, ask your attorney for help, or have him or her handle discussions with the insurance adjuster.
Your claim’s value: Your personal injury attorney will also be able to estimate a value for your claim, which will be helpful when the time comes to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. Without an estimated value of your claim, it would be impossible to know if a settlement offer is reasonable or not.
Negotiating with the insurance company: Once your attorney estimates the value of your damages, you can make a suitable demand of the insurance company, backed by evidence such as medical records and bills and a letter from your employer regarding wage loss or missed time from work. In some cases, insurance companies are stubborn and refuse to accept a reasonable proposed settlement. If this happens to you, your case will go to court.
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS IN TULSA
Handling a car accident claim on your own can be incredibly difficult and overwhelming, especially if you are recovering from particularly severe injuries. Instead of risking your chances of obtaining compensation, reach out to the skilled Tulsa personal injury team at Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC. We will review your case and craft a solid strategy to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Call our office today at 918-492-7674 to schedule a free consultation. If we do not win your case, you will not owe us any legal fees.