The moments following an automobile accident are immensely crucial.
A few fundamental things you can do—including inspecting yourself and others for injuries, alerting the proper authorities, and recording and gathering any material relating to the incident—will significantly aid in your attempt to file a claim with your insurance company.
Once the dust settles, however, you may realize just how much more there is to be done and that you won’t be able to do it alone.
Filing an automobile accident claim involves many steps, not all of which are intuitive to someone unfamiliar with the law. That is why it’s vital to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights are protected. Having legal counsel on your side profoundly impacts your chances of streamlining the process. As with any challenging situation, knowing someone is there to help you through the process can make all the difference.
Steps You Should Take After Being in an Accident
Increased blood pressure, high adrenaline flow, and vision that is hazy or out of focus are all things that can happen after an especially jarring accident. Here are some crucial steps you should adhere to immediately following such an incident.
- Take stock of yourself and any other passengers in your vehicle and ensure they aren’t wheezing or gasping for air.
- Record the incident with plenty of photos, videos, or notes. If there are any witnesses to the incident on the scene, ask them for their contact information.
- Contact your insurance company and be clear and concise when letting them know of the incident. Write down any deadlines or notes you may need for the future.
Navigating the Insurance Claims Process
After an accident, it is imperative that you promptly call and report the incident to your insurance company. Always use caution when speaking to your insurance representative. They count on you being anxious and traumatized after the accident, thus making you more susceptible to errors in communication. A car accident lawyer can be a huge benefit when dealing with the insurance company, acting as a liaison between you and the insurance representative to prevent you from saying anything that may impede your right to file a claim.
Insurance companies can be tough to deal with, especially if you are looking for a financial settlement. Attempting to assemble the necessary paperwork and meet deadlines alone can be disheartening and draining.
The quicker you hire an attorney, the sooner they can start working for you by building a case around your claim, collecting files and data, and providing accurate statements and information.
Focusing on Your Mental and Physical Health
Another benefit of having legal counsel after an accident is that it frees up your time to spend recovering. Even minor accidents can cause physical problems that require you to take time off from work. Physical injuries that cause you to miss work lead to lost wages and financial hardship. Some injuries don’t manifest until weeks or months after an accident, in which case you should be prepared to use that time to heal as well.
Taking care of and providing for you and your family should be your number one priority. With all that responsibility on your shoulders, it can take a toll on your mental health. Medical costs of treatments, including therapy, can stack up very quickly. This is why hiring a lawyer can be an indispensable tool in your pursuit to access the medical care that you and your family will need.
A lawyer who is personable and empathetic can make a huge difference when guiding you through such an intimidating process. Mental health is just as important, and having that emotional support will make it easier to take that first step in resolving your case.
The Significant Benefits of Legal Counsel
Attempting to navigate the legal system on your own can be arduous and, at times, messy and inconvenient. An attorney can look at every detail of your case and help you decide when and how you should proceed with legal action. You can learn a lot more about the options available to you when you have an attorney to guide you in the legal matters of your case.
Having an attorney can also help keep you and your files organized. Life can get hectic, and it can be hard to keep up with medical bills, photos detailing the incident, and any other files pertaining to the claim you may be trying to catalog. Among those files, there may be details that you have missed or glossed over. Your legal counsel can keep you on track by coordinating dates, times, and locations that will aid in the process. Sound legal counsel with your interests in mind will painstakingly account for every document to find errors and mistakes so that it won’t cost you in the long run.
There Is No Time to Waste After an Accident
Time is of the essence when it comes to auto accidents. Therefore, you want to have appropriate legal counsel on your side as soon as possible. The insurance company will have you believe that by resolving it quickly and efficiently, you will procure fair treatment. You should have an attorney who will ensure you persevere in the course for financial compensation.
Giving your lawyer that extra time to go over the information with you will be a huge benefit when it comes to collecting files and data for the claim. Most evidence loses value very quickly over time, so it is imperative to hire an attorney to put that evidence to work for you and your case before it is too late to do so.
Don’t Wait – Call Us Today!
If you have been in an accident, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We offer free case reviews.
Call the Law Offices of Michael R. Herron at 813-258-4878 today, and let’s discuss your case and what options are available to you.
