The aftermath of a car accident can be emotional, scary and confusing. Before you do anything else, examine your body for injuries and check on any passengers. Even if it’s a minor accident, it’s a good idea to ask the police to visit the scene. Take pictures of any visible bodily injuries, as well as damage to all vehicles. Exchange information with the other driver such as license plate numbers, contact details and insurance information. You should never flee the scene of an accident.
To have an actionable personal injury claim, there are a few things you’ll have to prove. It’s necessary to show that the defendant owed a duty of care to you. All drivers have a duty to avoid causing harm to other users of the road. You must then show that the duty was breached and that you incurred damages as a result. This means that the Defendant’s actions or inactions caused you harm and led to you incurring expenses.
For the best chance of success in your personal injury claim, you should definitely consider getting a lawyer. Lawyers have experience handling negotiations with insurance companies and litigating personal injury claims. With a good personal injury lawyer on your side, you’re more likely to be compensated for your losses.
When your personal injury lawyer is negotiating with insurance companies and opposing counsel, they rely on legal precedents. By looking at previous sums awarded for similar injuries, your attorney can determine an appropriate figure to compensate you for the pain you’ve had to endure.