Being involved in an auto accident can be a very freeing and stressful event. The accident could be minor or major, the things you decide to do right after can still make a difference in your ability to get compensation, find out if you are in need of any treatment and protect your rights. In Portsmouth like anywhere else, the best course of action is finding out the right steps to take. Speak with a skilled car accident lawyer today in Portsmouth to help navigate the complex legal processes and ensure your rights are safeguarded.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prioritize Safety and Contact Emergency Services
After a car accident, the first thing you should do is make sure that everyone is safe. If possible, try to park in a car that is in a safe place and far from traffic. It is also important to note that if the accident was on the highway and it is safe to do so then move your car to the side of the road, however, if the car has a lot of damage and it is not safe to move then simply leave it.
When in a safe place, immediately call emergency services. Besides, if the accident is minor, a police report can give evidence that is necessary for insurance claims and possible lawsuits. Emergency medical assistance may also be necessary. A lot of injuries that come with car accidents, such as whiplash, head trauma, or an internal bleed, most of the time are not visibly apparent. Calling for help will thus ensure that all those injuries, whether injury or pain, will get assistance as soon as possible.
Step 2: Gather Information from All Involved Parties
After an accident, one of the most significant actions is to collect as much information as you can. This will be used as evidence for your insurance company and in the case of the court. Here is the information you should gather from everyone involved:
In addition to these, also gather and record the time, place, and weather condition during the incident. Take pictures if you can, of the accident place, things like vehicle damage, traffic signals, and any signs of skid will be very helpful. Such details can be of good use to your lawyer and insurance people in understanding what actually happens at the scene.
Step 3: Avoid Admitting Fault
After a car accident, it is important to stay cool and composed, but do not accept blame even if you are sure that you were partially responsible. Such phrases as “I am sorry” or “I didn’t see you” can be interpreted negatively and used against you later in insurance claims or court. The responsibility for the car accident should be ascertained by the police report and the investigations of your insurance company, not by statements made at the scene.
Be aware that your emotional reaction or your attempt to give an apology might not be the whole story. If the other person gets angry, the best thing to do is to stay calm and not say anything about the fault.
Step 4: File a Police Report
Even if the damage from the accident was minor, you still need to notify the police. Officers of the law will look into the accident, get the statements of all parties, and write up a report that will be usable as evidence in your case. The police report has high relevance if you are thinking of taking a legal claim or opposing an insurance offer.
Local police in Portsmouth are probably well-acquainted with typical accident scenarios and their recording of the scene can assist in providing a clear, unbiased version of events. Should the police not turn up at the scene make sure you register a report with your local law enforcement agency.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
The best thing to do is to notify your insurance company right after the accident. In addition to it not being your mistake, filing a report on time helps protect your rights and facilitates the process of starting the claim quickly. Most insurance policies mandate reporting accidents within a certain deadline, thus, don’t procrastinate.
When talking with your insurance company, give them all the information you have from the scene, including the contact details, the police report number, and some evidence such as photos or witness statements. Moreover, do not admit that you were the cause of the accident or make any assumptions about what happened there.
Step 6: Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If you do not feel any pain after the accident, it is still necessary to visit the doctor. It is possible that certain injuries such as whiplash, concussion, or soft tissue damage will not be immediately apparent. Accessing medical care right after the accident will not only take care of your health but at the same time be a record of your injuries if you want to make a claim or a lawsuit.
Make sure to keep a record of all your doctor’s appointments, treatments, and prescriptions. This documentation will prove very important if you want to calculate the damages or get compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Step 7: Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents create a messy situation. The insurance company, the doctor, and the law can make it more complicated. The car accident lawyer who is skilled can explain in a very clear way what are your rights and guide you during the claims process and be sure that your best interests are kept.
In Portsmouth, local attorneys are ones who are familiar with the laws of the area and have a profound knowledge of insurance companies and how courts work. They can determine the merits of your case, make sure you are getting the right compensation, and if it is necessary, they can also represent you in court. You can talk to a skilled car accident lawyer today in Portsmouth if you want more information about your options.
Step 8: Keep Track of All Related Expenses
It goes without saying that in the event of an auto accident, one has to ensure that a detailed record of all the expenses arising from the incident is kept. This could be medical bills, costs for vehicle repairs, expenses for a rental car, and wages lost if you had to be absent from work due to your injuries. Therefore, you should gather and write down all the receipts, invoices, and communications that you have for these costs.
A detailed account of your loss will definitely come in handy while dealing with insurance companies or filing a case to recover your loss. Your attorney will be able to use this proof to create a winning case for you.
Step 9: Be Cautious with Settlement Offers
After a car accident, the insurance company may also give you a settlement offer. Even if the offer may seem to resolve the situation in an easy way, be careful and do not agree to any if you have not recovered from your injury. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and if they can achieve this at your expense, they will not hesitate to do so. Therefore, they often provide fast settlements to reduce the amount of their liability, but those offers may not sufficiently cover all of your losses, including future medical expenses.
It is better to ask your lawyer for advice before making a decision whether you should accept the settlement offer or not. A lawyer can provide you with the necessary information and help you decide which course of action to take.
Step 10: Follow Your Doctor’s Advice and Continue Treatment
It is very important that you obey your doctor’s orders, if you want to get well and if you want to win your legal case. If the doctor indicates that you require certain treatments, therapies, or follow-up visits, make sure you do them. If you do not go to the appointments that have been set or you do not follow medical advice, it can be the reason that your case is not proved, and your ability to sue for the compensation of your injuries will be limited.
You should keep all the data of the medical treatments you received, the prescriptions, and the medical visits that are related to your accident in detail. By doing so, your case will become stronger and, also, you will be assured that your pain and suffering, as well as your financial loss, are fully covered.
Why Legal Representation is Vital in Portsmouth
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be quite stressful, but with the suitable legal advice, you will get through the process without any difficulty. A competent lawyer can be of great help in safeguarding your rights, conducting negotiations with insurance companies, and securing your full compensation for damages.
If you have got into a car accident in Portsmouth, the best thing you can do is to get a lawyer. The lawyers of Elmore Law Office are available to assist you in all the stages of the process and make sure that you get the compensation you are entitled to.
