A car accident can leave you with serious injuries and a lifetime of medical bills and lost income. Unless you are one of the lucky ones who suffers only minor injuries, a car accident lawyer is often necessary to get the full compensation you deserve. The process of seeking a fair settlement involves negotiating with insurance companies, doctors, police, and others. What you say to each of them can significantly impact the amount of money you receive. Hiring an experienced injury attorney who puts your needs first is an effective way to protect yourself from being taken advantage of.
Insurance companies are notorious for their efforts to avoid paying victims of accidents what they deserve. They may challenge who is at fault or minimize the severity of an injured person’s injuries to reduce their exposure. An accident attorney knows how to counter these tactics, so the insurance company is forced to offer a fair settlement.
While you are in shock or in the middle of a medical emergency, it is hard to think about what to do next. However, it is important to take a few basic steps immediately after an accident to increase your chances of receiving a higher settlement. These include:
Prioritize Safety: Always put your safety first and seek immediate medical injury lawyer car accident attention if needed. If you are physically unable to do so, have a friend or family member call for help. Contact Law Enforcement: If police respond to the scene, they will document the incident in a police report or an official DMV report. Exchange Information: Make sure to share your name, phone number, insurance policy number, and license plate number with all involved parties in the crash. Take Pictures: Take photos of the scene and your injuries for use in a claim.
Gather Evidence: The sooner you begin the gathering process, the more helpful it will be in securing a higher settlement. An attorney can help you find witnesses, gather medical and accident reports, and hire experts to recreate the crash to support your case.
Determine Your Damages: Getting the compensation you need for your monetary losses requires that you have documented all of your costs, past and future, from the accident. In addition to calculating your financial losses, an attorney will factor in non-economic damages, such as emotional distress and pain and suffering, which can be difficult to measure in a dollar amount.
While no amount of money can make up for your physical and emotional suffering after a car accident, financial compensation can help reduce the burden and provide you with peace of mind. If you have been in a car accident, the NYC injury lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine are prepared to fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm. We also have evening and weekend appointments available upon request.