An auto accident can cause thousands of dollars of damages as well as pain and suffering. If your injuries are severe, they can put you in the hospital for weeks or months at a time. There is also a good chance that you will miss work. Fortunately, there are ways that you can help your attorney win your personal injury case.
1). Call the Authorities
The first step after any accident is to call the police. When the police arrive on the scene, they will take a statement and examine the crash site for other clues that could bolster your case. Whatever you do, do not move your car if at all possible. If the other driver leaves before the police arrive, any markings on your vehicle can be collected as evidence of who hit you.
2). Get As Much Evidence as Possible
You can’t hurt your case with too much evidence. Take as many pictures of your car as possible as well as the crash scene. Additionally, you should ask for any video evidence related to the crash to help prove that you were not at fault.
3), See A Doctor
Always see a doctor if you are in even the slightest bit of pain. Failure to seek medical care after an accident could be seen as a sign that your injuries are not related to the crash. Get a doctor’s note describing his or her diagnosis of your injuries and any medications that you were forced to take due to the crash.
4). Don’t Make Any Statements That Could Be Used Against You
Don’t try to be a hero or brag about how you weren’t injured that badly in the crash. If you are seen lifting a heavy item after complaining of a bad back, the insurance company for the other driver will claim that you aren’t suffering from an injury at all. By telling your friends or colleagues a version of events that aren’t true to make yourself look good in the story, you could put yourself in a position where you are forced to perjure yourself in court.
5). See an Auto Accident Attorney as Soon As Possible
You need to see an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Ideally, you would want to schedule a meeting within a day or two of the accident if you are feeling up to it. Your lawyer will tell you how to prepare your case as well as take depositions of any potential witnesses. Another benefit to having a lawyer is that he or she can negotiate with the insurance companies to get you as much money as possible. If the driver who hit you doesn’t have insurance, your attorney can help you recover as much money as possible in court.
Having a competent professional fight your case in a court of law can get you all the money that you are entitled to after a car accident. If you are hurt, out of work and facing large medical expenses, you deserve to have an advocate to fight for you until your life is back to normal.