After an Atlanta car accident, it can be almost impossible to think clearly. You are dealing with the shock and disbelief of what just happened, pain if you have been injured, and concern for your passengers. You may also be worried about your vehicle – will you ever be able to drive it again?
While things can be chaotic and confusing, it is important to remain calm and think as clearly as possible. The hours and days after an accident tend to be when victims make mistakes that cost them when pursuing a car accident claim.
If you want to ensure you can recover the compensation you are entitled to after a car accident, you should contact an Atlanta car accident attorney right away. You should also make sure to avoid the mistakes found here.
Being informed and aware of your rights will go a long way when trying to recover compensation for the injuries and damages you sustained in an Atlanta car accident caused by someone else.
Mistake: Failing to Seek Medical Evaluation and Treatment Immediately
Even if you feel fine or if your injuries seem minor, you should still be evaluated by a medical professional. Some car accident injuries can take hours, days, or weeks to show symptoms. If you don’t seek medical treatment immediately, the injury may cause more serious complications resulting in long-term health issues. Additionally, if you try to seek treatment at a later date, the other party may claim your injuries were not sustained in the accident.
By seeking medical treatment immediately, you have documentation of your injuries – even if you do not “feel” them yet. This documentation can then prove what injuries you sustained in the accident. It is evidence that the insurance company can’t dispute.
Mistake: Not Pursuing an Accident Claim Quickly
It is important to file a personal injury lawsuit or pursue an insurance settlement before the statute of limitations expires. However, you also want to ensure that any witnesses to your accident are interviewed by your Atlanta car accident attorney as soon after the accident as possible. If too much time passes, they may forget what they saw or important details about the incident. This means you may lose valuable evidence for your case.
Mistake: Forgetting to Get a Copy of the Accident Report
If the police respond to the accident scene (and they should), they will create a report. You are entitled to get a copy of this report. Make sure to request your copy at the local police station or have your Atlanta car accident attorney get a copy on your behalf. The information contained in this report serves as valuable evidence when you file a car accident claim.
Mistake: Losing Important Accident-Related Documents
You will have a lot of documents and records related to your accident and the injuries you suffered that you need to hold on to. It is a good idea to start a file so you can keep everything together and organized. The documents you should hang on to include receipts for repairs to your vehicle, medical services, and anything else you pay for related to your accident. You must also keep documentation related to time lost at work or school. In a car accident case, there is no such thing as too much documentation of what happened and your losses. This can all be used to help determine an accurate value for your claim.
Mistake: Accepting an Insurance Settlement too Quickly
If you accept the first (or even second or third) settlement offer from an insurance company, you are giving up your right to seek more compensation in the future if you discover your case is worth more. When you accept these early offers, they are usually much lower than what you deserve.
Insurance companies understand that you may be stressed about your financial situation after an accident and injuries. A fast settlement is appealing because you can pay your immediate bills. However, if you don’t look into the future and how the accident and injury may impact your life long-term, you may accept much less than you are entitled to. Your Atlanta car accident attorney is a good source of information when accepting an insurance settlement offer. Be sure to ask them about their thoughts on the offer and your case’s true value.
