A previous blog of ours discusses how brain injuries are one of the most serious injuries you could experience after a car accident. If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries after a car accident, then it is crucial that you take steps to protect your legal rights to pursue a claim or lawsuit. This is because the damages associated with severe injuries are most likely unaffordable.
Spinal cord injuries are a great example of an unaffordable “catastrophic injury.” With a catastrophic injury, a person is likely to suffer a permanent disability and a severely reduced quality of life. The person’s family members suffer the same consequences. Severe spinal cord injuries that result in paraplegia, quadriplegia or tetraplegia can incur medical and living costs in the millions of dollars over a lifetime. This figure does not account for lost income or pain and suffering.
Making a mistake after an accident can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation for damages associated with your injury. Consider taking the following steps after an accident.
Stay at the Scene and Contact the Authorities
It is against the law to leave the scene of an accident. If it is safe to do so, then you should check on the other motorists involved in the wreck to assess their condition.
After checking on the other motorists, contact the authorities or medical emergency services. Police will arrive at the scene and begin taking notes from witnesses or other drivers.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are involved in a serious accident, then you should seek medical attention. Even if you believe you did not suffer harm during the accident, certain types of injuries may present symptoms hours or even days later.
Depending on the type of injury, you could die or suffer a permanent disability. Intracranial bleeding is a good example of an injury that may not be apparent right away, but that can lead to death or serious disabilities if not treated right away.
You are also establishing a record of your possible damages by seeking medical attention. Doctors will evaluate your potential injuries and there will be a record of those injuries if you did suffer harm during the wreck. These records are useful if you pursue compensation through a claim or lawsuit at a later date.
Gather Evidence from the Scene
If you are able, then take photos of the wreck and your injuries. Be sure to gather information from other parties involved in the wreck as well as any witnesses. This information can be important later if your attorney needs to gather more evidence for your case.
You should also try to write down what happened as soon as you can after the crash. Car accidents are traumatic experiences that cause your body to release adrenaline. This can make it more difficult to remember exactly what happened days after the wreck occurred. By writing down this information or calling a family member and telling them what happened, you are recording useful information for pursuing a claim or filing a lawsuit if necessary.
Avoid Common Mistakes After a Car Accident
Certain types of mistakes can hurt your case. You should avoid talking to the other party’s insurance adjuster. This person can use what you say to devalue or deny your right to compensation.
You should also remain quiet on social media if you feel it will be necessary to pursue a claim or lawsuit. Much like talking to the other party’s insurance adjuster, your social media posts may be used to hurt your claim.
Speak to a Car Accident Attorney
You should speak to an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. One reason is because your attorney can take steps to legally protect crucial evidence, such as video footage of the accident. An attorney can also help you avoid making common mistakes and can assist with negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit if it is necessary.
About Our Fairfax Car Accident Lawyers
The Fairfax car accident lawyers at Hilton & Somer, LLC can assist with protecting evidence after a crash and can negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit to recover compensation for injuries. To schedule a free consultation with us, call 703-560-0700 or use our online case review form.
