Important Things to Know When Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit

Every year, thousands of people are involved in car accidents across the state. While many of these are minor with no extensive losses or injuries, others aren’t. In more serious and severe car accident cases, it’s important to take steps to protect your rights.

One of the best ways to protect your rights after a car accident is by getting in touch with a car accident attorney. However, there are other things you should do, as well. Being informed is going to give you the best chance of filing a successful car accident lawsuit.

You Need to Take an Active Role in Collecting Evidence of What Happened

If you are severely injured in a car accident, this obviously won’t be something you can do. However, if possible, take steps to collect evidence related to the accident you were involved in.

While the police are going to respond to the accident and create a report, they may miss important factors that help to show that the other party was at fault. While the police are going to collect basic information like the names and contact information of all parties involved, what about the road conditions at the time of the accident or extenuating circumstances like construction or damaged roadways? All these small things can play a role in car accidents and may even shift liability to a third party.

While you are at the accident scene, try to take photos of everything you can. This should include the position of the vehicles, road, signs, and damage to the vehicles. Also, take photos of your injuries.

Once you have left the scene, try to write down everything you can remember about the moments leading up to the accident and when it occurred. As more time passes, your memory will fade, and evidence can be lost. Because of this, you need to take steps to collect it right away.

Medical Attention Should Not Be Optional

If you don’t feel like you suffered a serious injury, you may turn down a medical evaluation. While you have the right to do this, you shouldn’t. There are a few reasons to seek medical treatment right after a car accident.

First of all, trained medical personnel will be able to tell if you have an injury that may not be showing symptoms yet. Finding this injury early will help keep it from getting worse.

Additionally, seeking medical treatment right away provides documentation of what happened and how you were injured. You will also get a treatment plan from a doctor, which can be used to determine part of the tangible costs of your accident.

Along with seeking medical treatment, be sure to document how you feel in a journal each day. Write down has the injury has impacted your life, how much pain you are in, and other relevant factors. This is another way to help your attorney prove your side of the case and ensure an accurate value is assigned to the situation.

Know and Meet All Deadlines

Any time you file a car accident lawsuit, there will be certain deadlines that you must meet. If you do not know what these are, ask your attorney.

One of the most important deadlines that you must meet to protect your right to recover compensation is the statute of limitations. This is usually two years but can vary based on the circumstances of your car accident.

Along with filing your accident claim on time, there are other deadlines you must meet, as well. Your attorney will be able to help you know what these are and ensure that you aren’t missing important deadlines that may jeopardize your case and your ability to recover compensation.

Don’t Wait to Contact an Attorney for Assistance with Your Car Accident Case

If you have been injured in a car accident, it’s imperative that you take steps to protect yourself and your rights to compensation. Hiring a Car Accident Attorney to help with this process is highly recommended. Doing this means that you have someone fighting for your rights and working to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.

When hiring an attorney, make sure to find someone who is honest about the situation and who is realistic with the probable outcome for your case. Also, never hire an attorney that promises or guarantees anything. In the legal realm, this isn’t possible and a huge red flag. Being informed is the best way to handle a car accident claim and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.