It never hurts to plan for an emergency, even one that you have taken steps to avoid. The victim of a motor vehicle accident should know how to handle that particular emergency. Here are the actions that you must take, if you find that you have been placed in the same situation as the victim of an accidental occurrence.
What to do at the scene of the accident
Assess the nature of your own injury. If you have injured your spine, then stay still, and wait for assistance. If possible, check on the condition of the others in the damaged vehicle. If the damage done to your vehicle is not too great, turn on the headlights and see if it can be driven or pulled to the side of the road. Call the police and your insurance company. If the other driver seems cooperative, get his or her name and address by looking at the same driver’s license. Record the numbers and letters on the license plate of the vehicle that hit you. If possible, see if there were any witnesses; if there were witnesses, then speak with them. Try to get the name and contact information from at least one witness.
What should be done soon after the accident?
Visit a doctor or a medical facility. Have someone look at your injuries. Strive to gain as thorough an understanding as possible of the nature of any injury. Naturally, you must learn what treatment the doctor recommends. Consult with a personal injury lawyer in Spruce Grove. Give serious consideration to hiring an attorney. Speak with friends and relatives, in an effort to find someone that can refer you to an attorney.
What you should not be doing soon after the accident
Do not speak with a representative from the insurance company until you have at least consulted with a lawyer. At this point, you do not know the degree to which any statement from you might hinder your attempt to gain adequate compensation. Moreover, you do not want the insurance company to be taping anything that you say, while you are speaking with a representative on the phone.
Actions that you and a lawyer can take together soon after the collision
The two of you will have to work together, so that your lawyer can establish the amount of compensation that you deserve. According to the law, it should return you to your original position, with regard to the amount of money that you have available to you.
You and your lawyer will assess the damages you have incurred. Your lawyer’s experience should aid a determination of the amount of compensation that the court should make available to you. You will discuss with an attorney your pre-accident income, along with any evidence that your previous earning power has been lowered, due to the harm done to you, as a result of the collision.