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Richard A. DeMichele, Jr. is a seasoned litigator, devoting a substantial part of his practice to family law and personal injury matters.
Latest posts by Rick DeMichele (see all)
Five Tips for When You Have Been Injured in a Car Crash
Auto collisions are often tragic.
For some, the following scenario is all too familiar: you’ve been involved in a car crash, you are injured, and you not sure what to do. Auto accidents can quickly become a continual source of stress and aggravation. The difficulties that follow a car crash can be overwhelming, including the immediate pain, cooperating with the police investigation, and dealing with the insurance companies.
The personal injury lawyers at DeMichele & DeMichele are experienced attorneys and have seen firsthand how good people make mistakes after a car crash that can cost them significant money and jeopardize their right to fair settlement. Despite the immediate difficulty and uncertainty following a crash, knowing how to react in the event you are injured in an accident can help protect your legal rights.
Here are five things you should do if you have been involved in an car collision:
- Get the Other Driver’s Information. You should always exchange information with any other motorists involved in an accident. This includes any witnesses to the collision. Knowing the identity of the people involved in the accident and the people who witnessed the accident can make all the difference. When exchanging information, be certain to write down the name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, plate number, and insurance information for everyone. This includes any witnesses to the crash. It is a good idea to keep a pen and a pad of paper in your car for this purpose; it also doesn’t hurt to take photographs of the accident scene if you’re able.
- Call the Police. With the prevalence of cell phones, calling the police from an accident scene has never been easier. You should always call the police when you have been involved in a car crash. The police will handle all of the emergency and criminal issues that arise from the accident. They will also do an impartial accident scene investigation. Often times this includes taking statements from the other drivers and witnesses. The police report is very important if you have a personal injury claim.
- Do Not Believe What the Insurance Company Tells You. Despite what you may see on the TV commercials, the insurance company’s corporate success depends upon their ability to minimize the claims that the pay. The insurance company representative is never going to help you maximize the recovery that you are entitled. In fact, the insurance adjuster’s job is to gather information from you to help the company minimize or eliminate your entitlement to a recovery. Never entertain an offer from an insurance company without first consulting a experienced personal injury attorney.
- Get Immediate Medical Attention. Sometimes people that are involved in car accidents don’t get medical care because they do not have any immediate pain. It is not uncommon for someone who was injured in a car crash to not feel any significant pain until the next day. By waiting to seek medical attention, you give the other driver’s insurance company the ability to say that you are not really injured because you did receive medical treatment on the day of the collision. Don’t let it happen!
- Call a Lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand all of your legal rights and maximize your pain and suffering recovery. An attorney will guide you through the process of filing your claim and will negotiate with the insurance company to make sure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
The following two tabs change content below.
Richard A. DeMichele, Jr. is a seasoned litigator, devoting a substantial part of his practice to family law and personal injury matters.
Latest posts by Rick DeMichele (see all)
