What to Expect After a Car Accident
As you grapple with the shock, trauma and complex maze of procedures and emotions after a car accident, many questions may race through your head: What do I do next? Where do I start? What should I expect?
We cannot overemphasize the importance of hiring a Indianapolis car accident lawyer to explain the right steps to take, as your lawyer will protect your rights and interests.
Immediately After the Accident
According to the National Safety Council, around 5.4 million people a year in the United States receive injuries in car accidents that are serious enough to require a medical consultation.
Make safety your first concern after a car accident. Check yourself and others for injuries and, if possible, move to a safe location away from traffic. If the crash seriously injures anyone, do not attempt to move them unless their immediate safety demands it.
Once you ascertain everyone’s safety, contact the authorities and report the accident. Even for minor accidents, a police report can serve as essential evidence if you later decide to file a claim.
Medical Attention
Always seek a medical evaluation after an accident. In traumatic situations such as a car accident, your body prepares for survival by releasing adrenaline and endorphins that can mask the pain of injuries for hours or even days. Waiting to see a doctor until symptoms appear can often lead to worsening injuries.
Follow your doctor’s advice and keep all your scheduled medical appointments. This not only ensures your recovery but documents your injuries and the treatment you require, which you will need in any legal proceedings.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
One of the most challenging aspects of obtaining compensation after an accident is dealing with insurance companies. Insurers protect themselves from paying out large amounts for claims resulting from the liability of their customers.
In no-fault states, you will first turn to your personal injury protection insurance to seek compensation. This could include recovering expenses for your medical treatments, hospital stays, and the time missed from work due to your injury.
In tort states, without mandatory personal injury protection coverage, certain insurance coverages can still affect your claim, including uninsured or underinsured coverage, collision coverage, and medical payments.
If someone else’s negligence injured you, you must deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company as well as your own. An experienced personal injury lawyer can handle all the communication with all the relevant insurance providers to protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries from any available resources.
The Personal Injury Claims Process
When handling your personal injury claim, a lawyer can provide many services beyond determining the insurance resources available to cover the financial and psychological consequences you incurred because of someone else’s negligence.
They can gather the evidence necessary to prove liability and the documentation to show your medical expenses, income loss, and other harm you experienced.
When they communicate with insurance claims adjusters, they not only provide the information the insurer needs to evaluate the claim, but they also work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Only one in every 20 personal injury lawsuits sees the inside of a courtroom. Most people resolve their car accident claims through a negotiated settlement, as it is a quicker, less expensive method for resolution than litigation.
Your lawyer will protect your right to have a judge or jury hear your case by filing the legal complaint (lawsuit) within your state’s statute of limitations. Failing to file within this statutory deadline typically prevents you from bringing your claim to court. This will also release the insurance company from the legal obligation to resolve it.
It is important to note that even after you file your lawsuit, you can still settle your claim out of court at any time before a judge or jury rules on liability and compensation for your case.
Your attorney will entertain settlement offers on your behalf while also preparing your case for trial. The pre-trial preparations often include deposing witnesses, filing motions and responses to motions, attending hearings, and creating evidence exhibits.
Affording an Attorney
Many people do not expect a car accident lawyer attorney to provide affordable services. Car accident lawyers, however, typically use a contingent fee billing method to ensure that anyone who needs their services can access them.
The contingent fee means you pay no money upfront, and each time your legal team works on your case, they do not charge you an hourly rate. You will recompense your attorney and only pay if your claim succeeds. You only pay them a percentage of the overall compensatory award.
An Attorney Can Provide a Deeper Understanding of the Claims Process
Understanding what to expect after a car accident can make the process less daunting and help ensure your physical, emotional, and legal well-being. Learn more about your legal options, gain a deeper insight into the claims process, and seek a free case evaluation with a car accident as soon as possible.