Car accidents are frightening and painful, especially when there are serious injuries. The steps from the chaotic moments after the crash until reaching the maximum physical and financial recovery can be a distressing journey. Because we thankfully don’t experience car accidents often, few people are prepared for the process of filing a car accident claim to recover damages like property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for their pain and suffering. A successful insurance claim in fault-based comparison negligence insurance states like Georgia requires careful preparation for the optimal outcome.
The moments after a car accident are terrifying. As an accident victim, you could be too injured to do anything other than wait for help. If loved ones are injured, your priority will be offering them comfort and stabilizing them with first aid. However, if you can use your cell phone to take steps to preserve evidence before the first responders move the vehicles to restore traffic, it’s the best way to ensure a successful car accident claim later. You can also hand your phone to an uninjured person to use for you and do the following:
Always accept transportation to a hospital with EMS, or if you think your injuries are minor, arrange transportation to a hospital for an examination. Tell the doctor about all of your symptoms so your medical report will document every injury as well as any obvious serious injuries. Some injuries have delayed symptom presentation such as back and neck injuries, Even serious traumatic brain injuries sometimes develop later due to bleeding and inflammation.
You should always report an accident to your insurance company even if you did not cause the accident and the other driver’s insurance should cover your damages. Reporting the accident to your insurance company provides protection should the other driver claim that you were at fault. Your insurer may request a copy of the police report.
After the accident, follow your doctor’s orders carefully and attend every appointment. Be sure to keep copies of bills, invoices, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. Gather copies of the police report and medical report, and then contact a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney to navigate your claim for the maximum compensation and best possible outcome in your case.
Never accept an early settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Often, insurance companies make these fast offers intentionally, before an injury victim knows the full extent of the financial damages they face in the months or even years ahead.
Insurance companies commonly dispute claims, undervalue them, or attempt to assign injury victims a portion of fault for the accident to minimize the amount they pay out on a claim. As an injury victim in a car accident, having an experienced personal injury lawyer in Atlanta to help navigate the claim on your behalf means you’ll have an investigation, documented evidence of the at-fault party’s liability, and a skilled negotiator demanding all compensation you’re entitled to in your case.
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