Statistics show that approximately 160,000 people are injured in car accidents every day. Unfortunately, most of these accidents are caused by careless drivers, with the leading causes being distracted driving, drunk driving, and reckless driving.
A car accident can change your life forever. Things can be even worse if you lose a loved one in the process. From paying hospital bills to repairing damaged property, the financial implications of an accident can be devastating.
But what if the accident wasn’t your fault? What if you were hit by a careless driver who wasn’t paying attention to the road? If this is the case, you may have a legal case against the other driver.
However, winning a car accident lawsuit is not always easy. You will need to prove that the other driver was at fault and that their negligence led to your injuries. This can be a difficult task, especially if you don’t have experience with the legal system.
So, what can you do to ensure you get the justice you deserve? Here are five keys to winning a car accident case:
1. Hire an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
This is perhaps the most important thing you can do if you want to win your case. An experienced car accident lawyer will know the legal system’s ins and outs and can guide you through the process.
They will also be able to negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve.
Remember that your insurance company is in business and will do everything possible to minimize the amount they have to pay you.
While most of us believe that insurance companies are on our side when we are involved in an accident, that is not the case. In fact, the insurance adjuster assigned to your case will use every tactic to ensure you get the lowest possible settlement.
Having a lawyer on your side level the playing field and give you the best chance of getting a fair settlement.
2. Get Medical Treatment Immediately
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s essential to get medical treatment immediately. Not only will this ensure you get the treatment you need, but it will also provide documentation of your injuries.
This documentation will be important when it comes time to file a personal injury claim. The insurance company will likely try to downplay your injuries, so having medical records to back up your claims is essential.
In addition to seeing a doctor, you should also consider getting a massage or undergoing physical therapy. These treatments can help relieve pain and speed up the healing process.
However, it’s important to remember that insurance companies often try to use these treatments against you. They may argue that you only sought treatment after the accident because you were trying to get money from them.
3. Collect As Much Evidence as Possible
To help make your car accident case strong, it is crucial to collect as much evidence as possible. This may include taking photos of the accident scene, getting the contact information of witnesses, and collecting your medical records.
It’s also a good idea to keep a journal detailing how the accident has affected your life. This can be used to demonstrate the emotional and physical toll the accident has taken on you.
The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to prove your case and get the compensation you deserve.
If you are too injured to collect the evidence, you will need to prove your case, or if you forget to collect it amidst the chaos, don’t worry. Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation and even hire accident reconstruction experts to uncover relevant information to support your claim.
4. Be Careful What You Say
It’s essential to be careful about what you say after an accident. Anything you say can be used against you in court, so it’s best to avoid giving a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
In fact, it’s best to let your lawyer handle all communication with the insurance companies. This way, you can be sure that anything you say will be used to benefit your case.
It’s not just what you say to the other driver’s insurance company that can be used against you. Be careful about what you post on social media as well. The insurance company may try to use anything you post against you in an effort to reduce the amount of money they have to pay you.
At the accident scene, avoid uttering words that may suggest you are the one at fault for the accident. While it is good to check on the other driver, don’t utter phrases such as “I’m sorry” or “Are you okay?” as these can be used against you later.
5. Make Sure You Get a Police Report
If you were involved in a car accident, it’s vital that you get a police report. This report will contain important information about the accident, such as the names of the drivers involved and a description of what happened.
The police report can be used as evidence in your case, so it’s essential to ensure that it is accurate. If you see any errors in the police report, be sure to point them out to your lawyer.
Keep in mind that the other driver’s insurance company will also be given a copy of the police report. They may use it to try and deny your claim or reduce the amount of money they have to pay you.
A police report is usually prepared by the responding officer at the accident scene. However, in some cases, you may have to request a copy of the report from the police department.
You should also be sure to get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. These witnesses can help support your version of events if there is a dispute about what happened.
Can I Win My Car Accident Case Without a Police Report?
While a police report can be helpful, you can still win your case even if you don’t have one. In many cases, the insurance companies will rely on their own investigators to determine who was at fault for the accident.
If you have strong evidence to support your claim, such as witnesses or photos of the accident scene, you may still be able to win your case.
It’s important to note that even if the police didn’t respond to the accident, you could still file a report. In most states, you have a certain amount of time to file a report with the police department after the accident.
Summary
If you are involved in a car accident, taking the necessary steps to protect yourself and your case is important.
Make sure you get medical treatment as soon as possible, collect evidence, and be careful about what you say. Most importantly, ensure you get a police report to have an official record of what happened.
If, for some reason, you can’t get a police report, don’t worry. All you have to do is contact an experienced car accident lawyer who can help guide you through the process.