If you’ve been in a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is protecting yourself from future accidents. However, taking some precautions is essential to ensure you’re safe and healthy following your accident. In this article, we will discuss five tips on how to protect yourself after being involved in a car accident.
Contact an attorney
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, or if you’re having trouble getting fair compensation from the other driver’s insurance company, it’s important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Kinney, Fernandez & Boire would be a great place to start!
Get Medical Attention
Even if you don’t think you’re injured, you must see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately following a car accident. Often, injuries from car accidents are not immediately apparent. By getting checked out by a medical professional, you can ensure that you’re not seriously injured and rule out any potential problems.
Exchange information
Be sure to exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver involved in the accident. This will be helpful in case you need to file a claim or follow up with the other driver’s insurance company.
Filing a claim
If you need to file an insurance claim, be sure to do so as soon as possible. In most cases, you have a limited time period in which you can file a claim, so it’s important to act quickly.
Statute of Limitations
Knowing the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in your state is important. This is the time you have to file a claim after being injured. In most states, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you don’t file a claim within this time period, you may be unable to recover compensation for your injuries.
Take pictures
If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident and any damage to your vehicle. This documentation can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim or a police report.
Possible things to photograph include:
- The other driver’s insurance information
- Damage to your vehicle
- The accident scene
- Injuries sustained in the accident
File a police report
If the accident is serious or there is any disagreement about what happened, it’s essential to file a police report. This will create an official record of the accident, which can be used in court if necessary.
Taking Advantage
You want to ensure that the other party does not take advantage of you. If you do not have a lawyer, the other party may try to take advantage of you. A lawyer can help you protect your rights and ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the other party.
How else can I be taken advantage of?
There are many ways that the other party can take advantage of you. For example, they may try to get you to sign a release that waives your right to sue. Or, they may try to get you to give a recorded statement without an attorney present. You should never sign documents or provide a recorded statement without consulting with a lawyer. Contact Kinney, Fernandez & Boire today!
Final Thoughts
Following these tips can protect yourself after being involved in a car accident. If you have any questions or need assistance with an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, contact an experienced attorney today.
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