There may be several points in your car accident claim that lie in your favor, but you don’t want to be caught by surprise in court and learn that you’re missing a key piece of evidence or documentation. Even if you haven’t been in a car accident before, this article can serve you by helping you outline a plan of action if you ever get into a wreck so that you have a better chance of receiving a fair settlement. Read further to get all the vital information about how to win a car accident claim.
Have a Lawyer on Speed Dial
It’s always a good idea to have the contact information of a trusted lawyer. You might be disoriented after your accident, and possibly unable to get all the information and documentation you need to build a strong case. If you call a lawyer from KazLaw to the scene of the accident, their team of legal experts can help you gather the evidence you need to ensure you will be prepared for court proceedings. You might be unsure of what to take pictures of, what kinds of questions to ask, and what you should and shouldn’t say. So, have a lawyer on speed dial for the worst-case scenario.
Call the Police
There’s a chance the other party might not want to get the police involved. Whatever their reasons are, don’t listen. Call the police immediately. Be calm and collected when speaking to them, and only describe the facts of the accident that you’re aware of.
Make sure to document the names and contact information of the police who reported to the crash, eyewitnesses, and the other people involved in the accident. You’ll also want the insurance information of the other driver.
Get Copies of the Police Report
The police officer will record many concrete details about the crash. All of this is vital information that will help paint the picture of what happened to your lawyer and the courts. This report will not determine fault—-that will take place in court by the judge—-but it will provide facts that will assist the judge in determining fault.
Take a Lot of Pictures
Take as many pictures as you can. Pictures might play a huge role in the success of your accident claim. If you’re unsure of what to take pictures of, then try to get your lawyer on the phone to walk you through it. In short, take pictures of the car and all its damages, the surrounding area, your injuries, and anything about the surrounding area that could tell a part of the story of what happened.
Speak to Eye Witnesses
Depending on what the witnesses saw, and how many witnesses there are, they could be a key factor to winning your case. Speak to all the witnesses and get all of their contact information in case your lawyer deems their testimony useful. Make sure to take notes of what they saw so you can inform your lawyer of the details that could support your claim. Show gratitude and sincerely thank them for their time, as it could really help you later.
Seek Medical Care
Go to the hospital as soon as possible and get an examination. Get copies of the doctor’s evaluation of your injuries and be sure to follow through on the advice. If you leave the hospital before the doctor advises, then this could actually hurt your case. Make copies of the receipts, prescriptions, and any other important details. It’s also a good idea to keep a daily journal of the physical and mental effects. Describe any pain you are suffering after the wreck. This will help your lawyer get you fair compensation in the settlement.
Document Everything
If ever in doubt, document everything. Document the reports made on the scene. Document the eyewitness accounts and all of their information. Keep a running record of bills incurred from the wreck, which not only includes damages and hospital bills, but even bandaids, ibuprofen, and immediate cost that the crash resulted in. It’s also important to keep track of time missed from work. This should be kept in an organized document, such as an excel spreadsheet.
Any physical, mental, or emotional effects of this accident need to be monitored and recorded as well. An accident can be traumatizing, and you should be compensated for all of it. However, if it’s not properly recorded, then you risk losing the claim, or not getting a fair settlement.
If these steps are followed through thoroughly, then there should be no problem proving fault. Each step is simple but extremely crucial to any accident claim. Remember to keep a lawyer’s contact close to help guide you through the process.