The medical bills, lost income, and property losses that follow a serious car accident can be costly, but following a few simple steps can help injured victims boost their financial recovery.
How to Boost Recovery for Injuries
Insurance companies are notorious for downplaying car accident injuries. Many insurers offer injured victims low settlements to avoid going to court. If a victim files a lawsuit with a car accident lawyer, an insurer may face high legal fees and a court trial that lasts for months.
What happens after a car accident can have a big impact on personal injury claims and compensation for losses. Following certain steps can ensure maximum recovery for medical expenses, emotional distress, and lost income from work.
Calling 911 and Checking for Injuries
It’s important that all injuries are documented. Even if injuries appear minor, crash victims should call 911 right away. They should never make arrangements with the other driver to avoid calling emergency responders or notifying the insurance company.
Gathering Evidence and Contact Information
Nevada law requires drivers to exchange ID and insurance information after a car accident. While at the accident scene, victims should gather identification and insurance information of other drivers involved in the crash. They should collect names, addresses, and phone numbers of any people who witnessed the crash.
Taking Photos or Videos
Photos and videos from the accident scene are compelling evidence. They make it hard for others involved in the crash to change their stories later. Victims should capture photos or videos of bodily injuries, skid marks, property damage, guardrails, trees, and stationary objects at the scene. Taking photos of any signs of impairment like alcohol and/or drug use by other drivers can help support a car accident case.
Seeking Medical Treatment
Crash victims should tell emergency responders about all injury symptoms, even if symptoms seem minor. Some life-threatening injuries like internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, and brain trauma are not always obvious right away. People involved in a crash should be evaluated by a licensed physician, urgent care facility, or hospital emergency department as soon as possible after the accident. If injuries are severe, the emergency medical responders will provide immediate help and transportation. Refusing or delaying medical treatment will undermine an injury claim. Insurers can dispute the claim by arguing that injuries were not caused by the accident.