When you are involved in a car accident, it is very important to protect your rights and get reasonable compensation for the injury caused by negligence of another party. It is well known that insurance adjusters are trained in “delay and deny” tactics which are intended to lower or even deny compensation. Adjustors often approach accident victims early in the claims process and make every effort to get a quick settlement rather than allowing the victim to take time to think about where they stand legally and discuss their case with a lawyer. However, if you wish to get a full and fair compensation, you should take into consideration the following important points.
Call the police
The first thing you should do after any accident, is contact the police right away even if the accident was a minor one. They will evaluate and investigate the accident scene and make a police report. This report is essential to establish detailed facts. Without a proper police report, the insurance adjuster may try to claim that it was a no- fault accident.
Take pictures and collect information
Do not leave the accident scene without taking pictures, as well as getting names and contact information of witnesses. Take photographs of the vehicle positions, body damage, skid marks and road conditions. It is true that police will take witness information and photographs, but it is not certain that the information will end up in the police report. To protect your rights, collect the information yourself.
Take help of a lawyer
A lawyer having experience and knowledge in an accident or personal injury claim may be helpful. They can help you avoid any legal mistakes that can weaken even the strongest car accident cases. An experienced lawyer is fully aware of the statute of limitations that applies to a particular personal injury case and will make sure that the case progresses within that time frame. They will represent your interests while demanding a fair and full compensation from the insurance company.
Seek medical help
If you are injured, whether a minor or major injury, seek medical help. It is natural to ignore minor injuries. However, this minor pain is sometimes an indication of a more serious injury, especially when it is related to ligaments, bones and muscles. Often times the pain may not make itself known for a week or two. Visiting a doctor or a hospital can help document your injuries and begin necessary treatment as soon as possible.
Do not miss your doctor’s appointment
Do not miss your doctor’s appointments. Skipping the appointment will result in significantly weakening your case. This will give the insurance adjustor the chance to argue that you obviously must not have been hurt too bad if you didn’t feel the need to keep your appointment. This will result in lower or denied compensation.
Do not make a recorded statement to the insurance company
Do not make any recorded statement to the insurance company representative without your lawyer’s knowledge. Your lawyer should prepare you for any recorded statements with the insurance company so that all facts about the accident are fully expressed and so that you don’t misstate when confronted with questions..
Contact car accident lawyers at The Reinken Law Firm
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, contact car accident lawyers at The Reinken Law Firm today. Our firm has over 35 years of experience handling many cases in the Connecticut area for victims of car accidents. We are confident about taking your case to the court and recovering compensation. Call: 203-541-0090, 203-418-7037.