Detroit Injury Lawyer Advises Accident Victims on What to Do Next

Nothing is worse than the feeling of terror that comes with an auto accident. When you have a terrible time like this, there are some things you can do to improve your recovery process. 

What to Do After a Car Accident

According to Detroit personal injury lawyer Pratheep Sevanthinathan, these steps not only will protect your health but also will put you in a good position to file an injury or property damage claim. Here are some basic steps you should take:

1. Remain Calm and Check for Injuries

You might not believe this, but you should remain calm. When an auto accident happens, the passengers are usually stunned, but this doesn’t always happen when you experience a collision. This can cause your body to go into shock and cause more severe injuries.

2. Call a Lawyer, “Hertz” and “Rental Car” (Whoa!)

You must call a lawyer immediately after a crash from any accident scene. Don’t delay calling a lawyer; call them immediately after the collision. Never let another person represent you if you were hurt in a collision, especially if it was your fault.

You have to remain calm after a car accident. Panicking will only make you lose your head, which can increase the extent of your wounds . It will also cause accidents that would not have happened if you had remained calm. So, try to stay as calm as possible after a car accident. Check for injuries, but do not delay calling for help if you are hurt badly.

3. Get Your Vehicle Out of the Road

Stop your vehicle as soon as possible. Not only will it help your recovery process, but it can also help police find witnesses. In addition, if you are driving a car that can be fixed or bought, get the car out off the road now too. You could also post a sign on your car to indicate it is not drivable and call for help if necessary.

4. Check for Others Involved in the Accident 

You want to ensure that no one else is injured before you check for your injuries. In addition, it will help the police find witnesses if you are helpful with your efforts to check on others first. It is best to call 911 first and then start checking out people involved in the vehicle accident.

5. Write Down What Happened

Write down what happened as quickly as possible following the mishap. If you are okay, it is a good idea to get a witness from the scene as quickly as possible. Make sure you write down who was involved and at fault so that you can be compensated appropriately if needed.

6. Do Not Give a Statement Until You Have Your Lawyer

Wait until after consulting with your lawyer before making any statements about what happened in an accident.

There are many steps you should take after an accident, but they will only help by strengthening your recovery process. It would be best if you got an attorney as soon as feasible, to assist you in receiving the payment you are due for all the losses you have experienced because of an auto accident.

5 Signs You Have a Strong Car Accident Claim

A car accident claim is filing an insurance claim for damages incurred during an automobile collision. If any vehicle involved in the crash carried passengers, it would typically qualify as a personal injury case rather than just property damage.It means that if you ask for compensation from the insurance company, you need to be able to prove how much damage has been caused by accident and how it affected your life.

1. The Defendant Owed You a Duty of Care 

It is essential to realize that an insurance policy does not entirely absolve the responsible party from all liability. A person, whether a driver or passenger, must exercise some measure of care when driving. It is called a duty of care, and if you were negligent in your driving, you are likely liable for causing an accident. Once you owe this duty of care to another, you cannot claim ignorance as a defense for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

2. The Defendant Breached the Duty of Care

A person must be reasonably careful and attentive; if they breach this duty of care by being negligent, they might be liable. Whether driving a car or just walking down the street, if you left the road or wandered onto someone else’s property, you breached the duty of care. It will allow an insurance company to file a personal injury claim on your behalf because they cannot avoid indemnification in these circumstances.

3. You Incurred Damages as a Direct Result of the Breach

Once there is a breach, the Defendant will generally have to pay for the damages inflicted upon you. For example, if you were injured during an accident, the insurance company will cover your medical costs and lost income.

4. Your Injury Was Not Caused by Your Carelessness

Victims are sometimes partly responsible for their injuries because they acted when they could have been prevented. If your carelessness did not cause your injuries, you can file a personal injury claim and collect financial compensation.

5. You Have Personal Knowledge of the Accident

If you are involved in a car accident, then there is a good chance that you will be injured. You should know if you have disfigured yourself or sustained brain damage because this damage directly relates to the accident. It can be used as evidence to substantiate your claim, increasing the chances of success by putting into your own words what happened to you.

These are the most critical factors in a car accident claim, and they are what you need to understand and prove to an insurance company if they want you to obtain compensation. It is worthwhile to compare the insurance policies of different companies to find one that will be more likely to pay up. Hiring a lawyer specializing in these cases is also beneficial because your chances of success increase with legal representation.