4 Tips For Getting A Car Accident Settlement
If you are in a car accident and receive injuries or damage to your vehicle, you might be able to sue the other person. While not being at fault is already grounds for a potential lawsuit, there are some things you can do to increases the likelihood of not only winning the settlement, but getting the maximum amount. Here are some tips for accomplishing that.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
It is important that you get as much evidence at the scene as you possibly can. If you have a significant injury, don't make it worse by trying to get evidence, but see if someone else can write down details and take pictures. Otherwise, handle this yourself. Call 911, then start getting pictures of the entire accident. Take pictures of your car, inside and out, and the other cars involved. Get pictures of anything you believe contributed, such as a faded street sign, pothole, or slippery ground following a rainstorm. If anything else is damaged from the accident, such as a railing or structure, get pictures of that too. Also write down what happened as soon as you can, as some details might be fuzzy later on.
Speak to Witnesses
If you are able to get up and talk to people, try to find some witnesses. They can be very helpful in helping to win your case. Unless there is evidence to suggest what happened before the accident, you need people to corroborate your story. Get their names and contact information, as your lawyer might want to speak to them. They might even give a witness statement to the police during the scene, especially if it was a severe accident. Witnesses are even more important if the other driver left the scene before help arrived.
File a Police Report
In most cases, you need to file a police report following a car accident. This is important not only when reporting the incident to your insurance company, but also to have documentation just in case you file a lawsuit against other people involved. The accident report becomes public record, so you are able to use it in your settlement to hopefully get the maximum amount.
Get Medical Documents
The last thing you need to get a good settlement following your car accident is medical proof of your injuries. You should be getting medical attention as soon as you leave the accident, whether you are okay to drive, have someone drive you, or leave by ambulance. Make sure you save all medical documentation, from receipts from co-pays and prescriptions to paperwork concerning your diagnosis and treatment. If you need chiropractic care or physical therapy due to a back injury or whiplash, save those documents as well.
Contact a law firm like Terry Napora Law Firm for more information.