What to Do After A Car Accident
Car accidents are a harrowing experience, even if they are minor. The immediate aftermath can be overwhelming, with emotions running high and adrenaline pumping through your veins. Amid this chaos, one question may linger: “Should I hire a lawyer after a minor accident?” In this blog, we’ll explore the steps to take after a car accident, particularly a minor one, and help you decide whether or not legal representation is necessary.
Ensure Safety After a Car Accident
The first and foremost concern after any car accident, regardless of severity, is safety. Check for injuries and administer first aid if necessary. Move to a safe location, if possible, to avoid further harm from oncoming traffic.
Inform the Authorities
Even for minor accidents, it’s essential to involve law enforcement. When you call the police, they can file a police report. This can provide an unbiased account of the car accident, which can be invaluable for insurance claims.
Obtain Contact Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other party involved in the car accident while waiting for the police to arrive.
Document the Scene
In today’s digital age, it’s easy to document the car accident scene. Use your smartphone to take pictures of the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible damage. Capture the license plate numbers, insurance cards, and driver’s licenses of the other parties involved. Additionally, jot down the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Don’t Forget a Medical Evaluation
If injuries are severe, call for medical assistance immediately and request that you be transported to the nearest emergency room. Our experienced personal injury lawyers recommend that you also seek medical evaluation and treatment after a minor car crash. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly.
Why is it important to seek medical attention after a car accident
First, what might appear to be a minor car accident can create severe injuries. Many scientific studies back up this assertion.
Second, anyone involved in the car wreck will likely be feeling the effects of adrenaline following such a traumatic event. Adrenaline can mask some or much of the pain associated with your injury. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not manifest symptoms immediately after an accident. People who have suffered from such injuries are often forced to go to the emergency room or immediate care facility later in the day or the next day as swelling occurs and limitations to their range of motion become apparent.
Third, people who suffer injuries in Kentucky car accidents often have no-fault benefits that will pay for their medical bills associated with a car crash. People involved in Indiana car accidents often have access to medical payment benefits (med pay).
Don’t avoid necessary medical evaluation or treatment because you are worried about how the bills will get paid. A medical professional can assess your condition and provide the necessary documentation for insurance purposes.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Regardless of the car accident’s severity, you will need to notify your insurance company. Provide them with all the details and documentation you have gathered.
Consult With an Attorney After A Car Accident
We recommend hiring an attorney to handle all the communications with the insurance company. Stein Whatley Astorino, PLLC, and their reliable car accident lawyers work on a straightforward and transparent contingent fee basis. You don’t pay any attorney fee unless they win the case. At Stein Whatley Astorino, PLLC, there is no up-front out-of-pocket expense to you.
Do you need a lawyer after a minor accident?
Now that you’ve taken some initial steps after a car accident, the question remains: Do you need a lawyer after a minor accident? While legal representation is not always necessary for minor accidents, there are situations where it can be beneficial.
If your injuries from the car accident necessitate ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation, a car crash lawyer can help ensure that the full extent of your medical expenses is covered.
If there is a disagreement about who is at fault for the car crash, it may be wise to seek legal assistance from a diligent lawyer. A car accident lawyer can investigate the car crash, gather evidence, and build a case to support your claim.
Car Insurance companies may undervalue or deny your personal injury claim or property damage claim, leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses. A good car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to secure a full and fair settlement. The diligent car wreck lawyer will also negotiate with your medical providers to reduce medical bills when all or portions of the bills are not covered by health insurance or no-fault insurance.
If the car accident has resulted in lost wages or diminished earning capacity due to injuries, an experienced car accident lawyer can help quantify these damages, support the damages with documentation, and pursue full compensation for the loss.
In some cases, the emotional distress resulting from a car wreck can be substantial. If you are experiencing ongoing emotional trauma, our car accident lawyers can help you pursue damages for pain and suffering.
Receive the full and fair compensation you Deserve
After a minor car accident, we recommend that you hire our experienced car accident lawyers. Even if the car crash is straightforward, and injuries and damages are minimal, you are still in a better situation with competent legal representation. Studies have shown that claimants end up in a better position with legal representation on average than people who try to go it alone.
Certain procedural complexities arise, such as disputed liability, ongoing medical issues, or insurance disputes, even with minor car wrecks. Consulting with an trustworthy lawyer can provide you with the expertise needed to navigate the legal landscape and avoid problems by getting ahead of them.
Attorneys for You
Ultimately, the goal at Stein Whatley Astorino, PLLC, is to ensure that our clients receive full and fair compensation for their losses and that their rights are protected. Even if you were involved in a minor car crash, consult with the experienced car accident lawyers at Stein Whatley Astorino, PLLC. Matt Stein, John Whatley, and Rob Astorino will fight for your legal rights and help ensure you get the full and fair settlement you are entitled to under the law.
