What to do after an accident can be confusing-it can be overwhelming-and knowing what to do can be confusing. I write this post to provide some guidance as to basic steps to take after an accident. This is not a complete list of what needs to be done. But if you following these basic steps, it will help your case drastically.
Do Not Delay Getting Medical Attention – If you were not taken from the accident scene in an ambulance, go get looked at. Do not try and “tough it out.” First, symptoms from your accident can take a day or two to appear. Adrenaline and the flurry of activity after an accident can mean you don’t tend to yourself as you should. And here is the rub: if you do not seek treatment immediately, then do so later, the insurance company and their lawyers will accuse you of faking your injuries. They call it a “gap in treatment.” Assume you are injured in an accident on Sunday, but you tough it out, take over the counter pain killers and fight through. By Thursday, you can’t deal with the pain any more so you seek your doctor. The insurance company is going to take the position that a truly injured person would have gone to the doctor immediately. Stick with your healthcare provider’s treatment plan. Keep copies of your healthcare bills. If you do not have health insurance, let me know. I can assist you in getting the medical care the insurance company won’t pay for.
Take pictures of your vehicle and the other person’s vehicle – Photographs are a compelling and important component in detailing how the wreck happened.
Collect the names and phone numbers of the witnesses to the accident – The witnesses are an excellent source of information to assist in determining how the accident happened.
Do not talk to the insurance company – The insurance company is not your friend. Read that again. The insurance company is not your friend. When I first began practicing law, I worked for insurance companies. I defended insurance companies and their clients from lawsuits. My job was to protect the insurance company and help them pay out as little money as possible. Insurance companies have entire teams lawyers devoted to one thing and one thing only, making sure you get as little money as possible for the injuries you sustained.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact The McAllen Personal Injury Lawyer today for a free consultation at 956-501-6565.
