Whether you are involved in a fender bender or a more serious accident, it is important to have a good insurance policy that allows you to gain the compensation needed for repairs, personal property that may have been damaged, and expenses related to injuries you may have suffered. However, since emotions run high after an accident, many people fail to think through what they should or should not do when filing car accident injury claims. If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident and suffered serious injuries, the NYC Car accident lawyers at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. can help.
Tips to ensure you get the car injury compensation you deserve:
File a Police Report
If you plan on filing a claim for your accident, you will be required to file a police report. Along with ensuring you can get the car injury compensation you seek, this report can also be helpful should you hire car accident lawyers to assist in filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. In the police report, not only will the responding officer assigned fault for the accident, but will also note any aggressive or unusual behavior of the other driver, which can be beneficial should the case go to court.
Take Photos
At the accident scene, take photos of key aspects of the accident, including:
- Damage to both vehicles
- Skid marks on road
- Nearby traffic lights, stop signs, speed limit signs
- Road conditions (wet, icy, unsafe pavement)
By having this evidence, your car accident lawyers can use it to develop a strategy that will show the other driver’s negligence led to the accident.
Do Not Admit Fault
According to how most insurance policies are written, a driver who admits fault for the accident could automatically have their claim voided. Therefore, even if you want to say something as simple as “I’m sorry” to the other driver, refrain from doing so. Instead, simply stick to the facts and stay calm. By doing so, your lawyers will have a much easier time proving your case.
Don’t Procrastinate in Filing Your Claim
Once you have been involved in an accident, do not procrastinate when it comes to filing your claim. In most instances, a claim needs to be filed within 30 days of the accident, so time is of the essence. Along with filling out the claim form itself, you will need to include various documents as well, such as police reports and receipts from car repairs or other property that was damaged in the accident. If you are hospitalized and may have difficulty meeting the filing deadline, have a family member contact the insurance company and ask for an extension.
Since car accident injury claims can be very complex and time-consuming, it is always best to hire the services of experienced and professional car accident lawyer to guide you through the process. By doing so, not only will your legal rights be protected each step of the way, but you will also have a much better chance of gaining the car injury compensation you deserve.
