What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?

In the immediate aftermath of a serious car accident, you may be in a state of shock. In a matter of moments, you found yourself facing physical, emotional, and financial setbacks. If your car accident was caused by another person’s negligent or reckless actions, you have the legal right to pursue full restitution for your losses. That said, the actions you take following the accident can significantly impact your ability to obtain compensation from the other party. 

Understandably, the very idea of filing an insurance claim or lawsuit can be overwhelming. Please rest assured that you do not have to go it alone. The national team of car accident lawyers at Big Auto stands ready to fight for your rights and assist you throughout the legal process.

Below, we will discuss what reasonable steps you can take to protect your rights after a car accident. With the help of your attorney, such actions will improve your chances of successfully resolving the accident claim in your favor.

Important Steps in Protecting Your Legal Rights

Taking legal action after a car accident can provide the financial relief necessary to get your life back on track after the incident. In order to ensure you get the compensation you deserve, certain steps should be taken to protect your rights. Failing to take some of these actions could diminish or otherwise compromise a valid personal injury claim.

Call 911

By calling 911, you ensure that you and others get the immediate help you need. In some instances, this is a life-saving call. Additionally, when police and emergency medical personnel respond to a crash, they will create an accident report detailing what happened.

Such reports are very important, as they often serve as the first official evidence of the car accident. The police report can be extremely beneficial in distinctly laying out how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

Document the scene of the accident

Take pictures and video, if possible, at the accident scene. Document the vehicle damage, as well as the surrounding area. The physical damage and the position of all involved vehicles could indicate what led up to the accident. Photos and video of your injuries and those of your passengers will also help document the severity of the accident.

Such photos often prove to be vital pieces of evidence in support of accident claims. In the event that you are too shaken up or injured to take pictures, try to ask a bystander to take them for you.

Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver

It is important to exchange contact information with everyone who was involved in the car crash. Be sure to take down the names, phone numbers, and driver’s license information of the other drivers.

Obtain the name of the car insurance company and the policy number of each driver. If multiple cars were involved, take down each license plate number. Having this information readily available will help you jump-start the insurance claim process.

Obtain eyewitness contact information

Try to get the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed how the accident occurred. Third-party eyewitness testimony can prove invaluable in supporting your version of the events that took place.

It is beneficial to get the contact information even of a person who did not see the car accident occur but came onto the scene immediately afterward. He or she may be able to provide useful information in support of your case, such as the road and weather conditions at the time of the crash, as well as the injuries and behavior of those who were involved in the collision.

Seek medical attention

It is in your best interest to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the wreck, even if you do not think you have been seriously injured. Some car accident injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can take time to manifest fully, and early treatment may help reduce pain or ensure a better long-term prognosis.

Medical records detailing the extent of your injuries and the impact they have on your quality of life provide clear evidence of your physical damages resulting from the accident. You will need to provide such evidence to protect your legal right to restitution for your injuries.

It is essential that you complete your medical treatment plan after the accident. Failing to do so may indicate to insurers that your injuries are not as serious as you claim or that you are attempting to exploit your rights to compensation.

Do not admit fault for the accident

Accident scenes are often hectic and emotionally charged. Understandably, you may be concerned about other people’s safety. Additionally, it can be nerve-wracking for you to speak with the other driver, police officers, or insurance companies.

Yet, it is important to remember that what you say at the accident scene can have a direct impact on the outcome of any injury claim or lawsuit. If you apologize to the other parties involved, your legal rights could be severely compromised.

Never admit fault for the accident. Even the suggestion that you may have been at fault for the crash will weaken your credibility going forward. 

Do not post on social media

After a serious car accident, it can be tempting to post on social media so that others know what you are going through. However, anything you put on the internet could have unforeseen consequences. 

Regrettably, a single poston social media could significantly diminish your settlement amount or even ruin your right to compensation altogether. Insurance adjusters may skew your posts in an attempt to use your own words and photos against you. Even a seemingly innocent picture of you smiling with friends could be used to claim you were not really hurt in the accident. 

In an effort to protect your rights, it is always best to avoid posting or commenting on social media until your car accident claim has been completely resolved.

Contact your insurance company 

When you are in any kind of car accident, let your insurer know right away. The insurance company needs to know about any incident that may trigger coverage or lead to filing a personal injury or damages claim.

When speaking with the agent, provide him or her with a detailed overview of everything that happened. Answer the insurer’s questions truthfully, not misrepresenting the facts in any way. If the insurance company finds out that you lied when filing the claim, it will not cover the accident.

Consult a car accident attorney about your rights

An experienced car accident lawyer should be one of the first calls you make after an accident. Discussing your situation with a knowledgeable attorney gives you a clear understanding of what legal rights and options you have moving forward.

A personal injury attorney can go to bat for you by advocating for your rights to compensation and negotiating with the insurance company and others on your behalf. Having a well-practiced lawyer on your side eliminates much of the angst associated with car accident litigation.

Get Advice From a Top-Tier Team of Car Accident Attorneys

Serious car accidents can be scary and stressful. In the wake of such an incident, you may feel desperate to protect your legal rights to compensation. If this is the situation you find yourself in, there is a national team of personal injury attorneys ready to get you the help you deserve.

At Big Auto Accident Attorneys, we understand that the stakes are high and that winning big is essential to each client’s future well-being. Our extensive network of attorneys is proud to handle car accident cases of any complexity, in any location across the U.S. We can guide you through every step of the legal process, using our resources and organization to protect your rights in every possible way.

Contact our trusted car accident attorneys today. Call us at 1 (844) BIG-AUTO or fill out our online form for a free case review. We believe every accident victim has the right to experienced legal representation.

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