If you have been injured in an accident, you’re probably feeling a little anxious about what comes next. Even — and especially — when the accident wasn’t your fault, the thought of an unjust car wreck injury claim can leave you feeling unprotected.
Don’t just sit around wondering “what should I do after a car accident?” Work with one of our injury lawyers. We can help you get a fair claim, prepare to go to court, and in a variety of other ways. Make sure you know what you should do after a car accident — and how we can help.
What should I do after a car accident?
Immediately following a car accident, the most important things to do include call the police (no matter how insignificant the damage seems) and exchange all pertinent information with the other driver(s). You must also report the accident to your insurance.
In the next few days, you should absolutely see a doctor, even if you don’t feel injured. Some issues can take time to become evident and having medical documentation can be extremely helpful later on, particularly in the event of filing any car wreck injury claims.
Keep any documents together; the police report, any medical reports, and a summary of the accident can all be extremely helpful in proving your case.
What can a car accident lawyer do for me?
Working with an injury lawyer, like one of our Kansas car wreck attorneys, can help immensely as you wade through the obligations following an accident. From insurance to detective work, your legal team will do what needs to be done for a settlement so you can recover from any car wreck injuries you may have incurred.
Perhaps the most important aspect of having an injury attorney working for you is knowing you have an expert in your corner. Car wreck injury claims filed with a lawyer are generally significantly more successful than those filed without an attorney. In fact, just the knowledge that you have an attorney makes the other driver’s insurance company or legal team more likely to take any claim more seriously.
Furthermore, a car wreck injury attorney knows all the important laws. Your lawyer will make sure you are aware of any important information, such as the statute of limitations on a car accident. If you are in a car wreck in Kansas, for example, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a car wreck injury claim. However, if someone involved is killed, that two years starts from the date of death.
Working With Insurance Companies
An injury attorney will also navigate insurance companies for you — your own or the other driver’s. You may feel like you are not getting a fair shake, especially when it comes to dealing with the other party’s insurance company. This can be especially frustrating when you know it wasn’t your fault — especially if there is proof.
Many insurance companies include a clause requiring policy holders to refrain from admitting guilt. Sometimes, however, in the heat of the moment immediately after an accident, while exchanging information or talking to the police, someone might slip up. Unfortunately, if they sing a different song to their insurance adjuster, you may be denied damages. A good attorney will find the evidence you need to prove your case and put it together in the most effective way to get you the best compensation.
What should I ask for in a car accident settlement?
Depending on how severe the damage to your vehicle is, how severely you were injured, and what kind of injury occurred, the amount you can expect from car wreck injury claims can vary drastically. Just as more significant damage to your property means you can expect to receive a greater monetary amount, more significant, chronic, or pervasive injuries lead to larger claims as well.
Generally, you can ask for compensation for:
- property damage,
- medical bills (past and future),
- pain and suffering,
- lost wages (from time of injury and into the future),
- loss of life, and
- other damages related directly to the accident (such as the costs associated with canceling a planned trip as a result of injury).
Still, how do you know how much you deserve? Working with an attorney means you have an expert who knows what you should ask for in a car accident settlement. Additionally, if the other party refuses to settle, an injury attorney will be prepared to take your case to court.
If you are concerned you will be spending thousands of dollars to potentially recover no compensation, there is good news. Most injury attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. This means the attorney only makes money if you win. Not only does this give your attorney greater incentive to argue your case successfully, it also means an unsuccessful case shouldn’t cost you a dime.
Call Kansas Injury Recovery!
If you have been in a car wreck, Kansas Injury Recovery delivers dollars for injured clients. Our expert attorneys will be with you every step of the way, working hard to prove your case so you can work hard on recovering. Schedule a free consultation to see what your car wreck injury claim could be worth by calling (866) 684-9043 or through our website. Get the compensation you deserve!