Things to Know After a Car Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the situation can move quickly. If a person is not aware of what to be on the lookout for, their personal injury claim could be in jeopardy. If you recently suffered injuries in an auto wreck, consider calling a lawyer who could advise you on the numerous things to know after a car accident. By making good decisions early in the process, you could set yourself up for a strong case down the road.
Why Should Someone Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
When someone suffers injuries in a car accident, there are several important reasons to contact a lawyer. The first reason is to stop the harassment by the insurance companies. That includes the injured person’s own insurance company who may be trying to reach out to them, as well as the at-fault party’s insurance carrier who will attempt to obtain recorded statements as soon as they can. The at-fault person’s insurance company may also try to obtain signed documents and medical records to discredit the claim for liability.
A skilled car accident attorney could discourage the insurance company from contacting the injured person. Legal counsel could inform the insurance company that they represent the plaintiff and that future contact should go through them first. This acts as a barrier between the insurance company and the plaintiff and ensures evidence that could be used against the claimant is not turned over. Then, a lawyer could begin their own investigation and work with the claimant to build a case while they receive treatment.
Dangers to Avoid After a Car Wreck
Drivers should know that they need to hire an attorney right away after a car accident. A police officer will sometimes advise the parties involved that they need to go to the nearest jurisdiction to fill out a police report.
In this situation, two things can happen that could endanger a personal injury claim. First, the at-fault party could leave immediately without giving their insurance or contact information. Additionally, the police at the scene of the accident might not evaluate, so photographs and other evidence are not recorded.
For those reasons, insurance companies often rely on the police reports, which may have inconsistences or incorrect information. Hiring an attorney at the beginning of a case is critical to avoiding these dangers and keeping the plaintiff on an even playing field with the defendant.
Comparative Negligence in Auto Wreck Cases
When it comes to car accident cases, it is important to know that state law uses comparative negligence when determining fault for a crash. The plaintiff’s attentiveness could influence liability or fault if it is believed that their attention deviated elsewhere at the time of the accident. If the plaintiff was not wearing a seat belt, they could be labeled negligent and fail to recover the full amount of damages. When a jury determines the plaintiff is, for example, 20 percent at fault for the accident, they may only be able to recover 80 percent of the damages.
If adverse weather played a part, insurance companies may also argue that their insured was not being negligent, and that the accident was merely an “act of God” without anyone in particular at fault.
Contact an Attorney for Helping with Knowing What to Do After a Car Accident
Knowing what to do after a car accident can be difficult without help from an experienced attorney. Fortunately, after you reach out to a skilled local attorney, they could guide you on what to avoid saying to insurance companies, and which potential negligent actions might affect your compensable damages. To learn more, place a call to Tittle & Perlmuter today.
