After a car accident that is not your fault, you will need to take measures to protect your interests and seek fair compensation. In case you are in such a situation, a law firm that handles car accidents can help.
Take Photos and Videos of Scene
Taking pictures is an effective way of gathering information and evidence at the accident scene. This way, you can prove who the at-fault driver is for fair compensation. If you have a smartphone or a camera and you can take photos or have another person that can help, take as many pictures of the damage and the surrounding area as possible.
If you can, photograph the positions of the involved vehicles and their number plates. Additionally, switch your phone to the movie mode and take videos of the accident scene. Taking photos of injuries immediately afterward and several days after the appearance of the bruising is an excellent way of strengthening your evidence.
Accident videos and pictures are incredibly significant at trial and when you are negotiating for a settlement with the insurance company.
Get Eyewitness Contact Details
Other than ensuring your safety and informing the police of the accident, it is vital to get the names and contact details of other people as witnesses. Your attorney needs evidence to demonstrate that the other driver was at fault. Getting the contact details of the eyewitnesses will enable your lawyer to locate and obtain detailed evidence against the driver at fault.
Keep in mind that the success of a court case after a car accident that is not your fault will largely depend on the testimony of neutral witnesses.
In understanding the strength of your case, your attorney needs to gauge what the eyewitness recalls. Therefore, it is better if you can get the statement as soon as you can.
An eyewitness statement that you obtain immediately after the accident is more precise than later proclamations. This is because human memory can be inconsistent over time. Other than forgetfulness, bias and compromise might enter the witness’s statement, thus affecting its credibility.
Get the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance and Contact Details
You might need to exchange information with the at-fault driver. The other drivers involved in the accident are also supposed to report the matter to their insurance companies but do not expect that they will. You will need to take the necessary steps to recover damages like car repairs, destroyed cargo, and medical bills.
There is crucial information to obtain from the other driver, such as:
- Vehicle license plate numbers
- Contact information of their insurance companies
- Official names
- Personal phone numbers and addresses
- Driver license numbers
- Insurance policy numbers
Be mindful of the words you use while conversing with the other drivers as you obtain their contact and insurance information. Although the humane thing to do is to help other people during such emergencies, avoid unnecessary words that might implicate you were at fault. For example, avoid apologizing, telling them you should have seen them, or offering to pay their medical bills.
But if you engage a lawyer, the legal professional will guide you on how to handle the matter. Call (212) 751-9800 now for a free consultation.
Seek Prompt Medical Care
Medical care is critical after a car accident that is not your fault, even if your injuries seem minor. The doctor might spot injuries that are occasionally severe, but not that obvious to you. Additionally, some injuries might take several hours or a few days after the accident to become apparent.
There are several common injuries you can sustain during a car accident, such as:
- Whiplash (symptoms include a headache at the base of the skull, dizziness, and loss of range of motion in the neck according to the Mayo Clinic)
- Confusion and unconsciousness
- Tingling in legs and arms
- Head injuries and spinal cord damage
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones and ribs
- Lacerations
Call 911 to get the police and ambulance in the scene. This way, you will get help for everyone and also obtain an official statement to submit to your insurance company.
Record your symptoms and pains in your journal and give your doctor an honest explanation of your symptoms. If the person at fault decides to fight your claims in court, the medical records will support your case.
Seek an Attorney’s Help
Nobody wants to go through the trauma of car accidents, including severe pain and injuries. The settlement of accident claims involves a push and pull between the involved parties. You might think that the best thing to do first is to call the insurance companies involved in the matter.
However, the insurance company may offer you a lower settlement amount, meaning that you will not receive full compensation for your damages. Fortunately, you do not have to navigate the murky legal waters alone; our lawyers are always ready to offer you legal assistance.
Morelli Law Firm Can Help After a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault
If you have a lawyer on your side, you will get the fair compensation you are entitled to. At Morelli Law Firm, we will investigate your claims to ensure that you receive full payment.
With an attorney, you can get compensations for various types of damages, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Past and future wage loss if you are incapacitated
- Pain and suffering (compensation for your physical and emotional distress, according to Legal Information Institute (LII))
- Diminished value claims i.e., lost value of your car
At Morelli Law Firm, we have a team of dedicated lawyers that is ready to engage insurance companies and at-fault-drivers. Contact us today at (212) 751-9800 for your free case review.