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You Were Injured in a Car Wreck. What now?

A:

Being in a car accident can be stressful and turn your life upside-down, but that doesn't mean you should have to suffer from low ball offers from insurance companies. This simple guide can help you work through what to do and not to do after an accident.

1. Get medical attention right away! Postponing to get medical treatment can be used against you by insurance companies and their lawyers, because they will argue that your injuries were obviously not severe enough to seek immediate medical attention.

2. Get the accident on file by reporting it to your insurance company or the DMV. Also, obtain a copy of the police report. If the police did not come to the scene, go to the closest police station and fill out an accident report. Be sure to list all of your injuries, and any comments of fault made by the other driver.

3. Take pictures of your injuries, the scene of the accident, and of the damage to your vehicle. Make sure they are good pictures. Good photos can make the difference in a personal injury case. If you are taking your pictures with a film camera, be sure to develop the film as quickly as possible to be sure that the pictures are good quality.

4. Silence is golden! Don't talk about the accident with your insurance company, the other driver, their attorney, or any insurance company. Never give a written or recorded statement, unless you have consulted an attorney. What you say from the time of the accident until the case is closed can be used against you in court.

5. Obtain and keep names, addresses, and phone numbers of all the witnesses of the accident. The police don't always include witnesses on a police report. A witnesses' testimony can make or break a case.

6. Keep a record of any time you had to take off work due to your accident or any medical treatment for the injuries you sustained from your accident. You can use this record to support your claim for lost wages in your case for settlement.

7. Keep a log of the names, dates of service, and reason for seeing all medical professionals since the time of the accident. You or your attorney can use this log to prepare a medical history relative to your accident, and to obtain the necessary records for advancing the settlement or trial of your claim.

8. Keep all receipts for any expenses you've incurred because of the accident. This is because you are entitled to reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the accident. These can include non-prescription medication, rental cars, clothing, medical expenses, and other payments not covered by your insurance.

9. Go to all your doctors' appointments, and follow through with any treatments they prescribe. If you don't get the treatment you need, the insurance companies and their lawyers will argue that you are not really injured as badly as you say.

10. Don't sign any documents or releases of information unless your attorney advises you to do so. The insurance companies and their attorneys will try to reduce the amount of money they have to pay you. They will try to obtain your medical records, and other records, by telling you that they need them to evaluate your claim. However, often they will use the information they obtain to discredit your claims.

11. Do not settle your case until all medical expenses are accounted for, both present and future, because you are entitled to compensation for all medical expenses incurred from your auto accident. An experienced auto accident injury attorney can help you to determine what amount you are entitled to.

12. Keep good records and copies of everything, including the police report, witness information, medical bills, lost wages and medical history logs, and anything else that might support your case. Don't throw out any records unless you consult with your attorney to see if you need that record for your case.

13. You deserve to receive compensation for your injuries. The best way to ensure that you are going to be treated fairly is to see an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible and find out your rights. Do not withhold any information from your attorney. Everything you say to your attorney is protected and confidential. Insurance companies and their lawyers deal with injury cases every day, they know how to play the game to their advantage. The only way to make sure they don't take advantage of you, is to have an experienced personal injury attorney to have on your side fighting for your rights.

Murphy & Associates handles car accident cases. If you have been injured in a Douglasville car accident and have questions for a Douglasville car accident lawyer, you may be interested in the following helpful information and ways to contact us:

Order our free book, "Mistakes to Avoid if You Want to Win Your Car Wreck Case." 

Review the our Case Results for car accident cases.

Call us at 770-577-3020 for a free consulatation.

Get a Free Case Review by submitting your name and question under the "Ask James Murphy a Question" field on the right side of the home page.

Contact Us, Douglasville Accident Attorney, Murphy & Associates, LLC, via the website, http://www.murphylawyer.com/contact.cfm