One: Stick to the Basics at the Scene of the Accident
If you are injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, the following basics apply:
Pull as far out of the path of traffic as you possibly can.
Call 911.
Provide aid to anyone who needs it if you are able to do so.
Accept any medical care and attention that is offered you – or seek the medical attention you need after leaving the scene.
Do not comment on the accident unless an attending officer asks you direct questions, which you should answer honestly and succinctly.
Gather evidence, including photos and eyewitness testimonies, and contact information, if you are able to do so.
Two: Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions Carefully
Carefully follow all of your doctor’s orders post-accident. If you do not take your injuries seriously, the insurance company will be sure to do the same.
Three: Stay off Social Media
We have all posted a picture, comment, or story on social media that has not played the way we originally expected it to. Now is not the time to take a chance, and you can count on the insurance company trolling your social media presence. Laying low until your case is finalized is well advised.
For more tips on social media presence and your personal injury claim, read this article: 3 Social Media Tips for Your Personal Injury Case
Four: Do Not Make a Statement to the Insurance Company
The insurance company with which you file your claim is going to be looking for a formal statement from you, but you are not required to provide one – nor are you advised to do so. The insurance company rep is well versed at coaching statements out of vulnerable accident victims that later haunt their claims. Defer to your experienced personal injury attorney. (Important Questions to Ask Your Potential Personal Injury Attorney)
Five: Do Not Accept an Early Settlement Offer
One of the many tactics that insurance companies like to resort to is offering desperate accident victims – who are watching their medical bills mount and their earnings decrease – early settlement offers that are not even in the ballpark when it comes to covering their full range of damages.
Six: Work Closely with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, the single most important thing you can do to help protect your case is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. (How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Texas Car Case)
Do Not Wait to Consult with an Experienced Killeen Personal Injury Attorney
If another driver leaves you injured in a car accident, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is a well-respected personal injury attorney who takes great pride in helping clients like you recover fully on their physical, financial, and emotional damages. To learn more about how we can help, please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 254-501-4040 today.
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