If you have been injured in a car accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, the negligent driver who caused your accident must compensate you for your injuries. The steps you take after the car accident in the days and months to come will impact the strength of your compensation claim. To recover the total value of compensation, you should take these essential steps to protect your legal rights and prove your case.
Obtain Medical Care QuicklyMany people downplay the symptoms and injuries they are experiencing after a car accident, but doing so can hurt your claim for compensation. If you have been injured, call 911 and ask for an ambulance. If you do not go to the hospital, you should go to the emergency room, urgent care, or primary doctor as soon as possible.
Even if you are not sure whether your injuries are serious enough to warrant going to the doctor, you should still be examined by a doctor within 72 hours of the auto accident. Traumatic brain injuries, spine injuries, neck injuries, and other serious injuries may not be fully apparent until hours after the collision when symptoms develop.
Call 911 and Ask for a Police OfficerContact the Charlotte police immediately while you are at the accident scene. The police officer who arrives at the scene will conduct an investigation and write a police report to help you prove your right to compensation from the at-fault driver. The police report will include information about the accident, contact information, and statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
Write Down Important Contact InformationIt is important that you write down the contact information for all other drivers involved in the accident, along with their insurance information. You should also write down the contact information for any witnesses to the car accident.
Take Photos with Your Cell PhoneIf you can do so safely, take photos with your cell phone camera of the damage on the vehicles, the accident scene, your injuries, and anything else you think may be helpful. These photos help you prove how the accident occurred and can be compelling evidence to show a jury.
Notify Your Insurance CompanyMost insurance companies require their insured to notify them of an auto accident within a specific time. Reporting an accident with your auto insurance provider is different from filing a claim.
Follow-Up on Medical CareIn addition to receiving medical care after the accident, you will also need follow-up medical care. You must follow your doctor's advice about your treatment plan and attend all your appointments with specialists. Failing to do so will give the insurance company a reason to deny your claim or force you into accepting a lower settlement amount.
Be Careful What You Post Online and Say to FriendsIt is crucial that you avoid talking about the accident online or in written communication with anyone other than your attorney. Do not sign a quick settlement offer or give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before reaching out to an attorney.
Save Your Medical Bills, Paystubs, and Other Evidence of Your DamagesKeeping all documentation related to the car accident is crucial, including all your medical bills and pay stubs. Keeping receipts for all of the expenses related to the accident can help you calculate how much you should receive in compensation from a settlement amount. You probably have hundreds of medical bills and related expenses if you suffer a serious injury. Keeping them filed and organized will help you and your attorney determine the value of your claim.
Keep a Personal Injury JournalWrite down all of the information you can remember about the car accident, including any conditions leading up to the accident. You should also write down the symptoms you are experiencing, the days you have had to take off of work, your pain level, and a record of the activities you once loved but can no longer engage in because of your injuries.
Discuss Your Claim with a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney in CharlotteFinally, it is crucial that you reach out to an attorney after you receive medical attention. The Charlotte personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, will thoroughly investigate your claim, handle all communication with the insurance company and protect your rights. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.