Accident Victims Tips
At the Law Offices of Mark A. Doughty, we have decades of experience helping accident victims throughout Northern California recover from their injuries and recover compensation for their losses. A car accident is a traumatic event; having to worry about how to pay for property damage and medical expenses only adds another layer of anxiety to an already stressful time. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take, at the scene of the accident and soon afterwards, that will help you successfully recover compensation for your losses.
- Seek Medical Attention
If you or anyone at the scene of the accident needs medical attention, call 911, and use First Aid to care for yourself and others to the extent of your abilities. Even if you do not require emergency care, either on the scene or in a hospital, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a thorough examination soon after the accident. Depending upon the nature of the accident and injury, more extensive diagnostic tests may be required to identify any potential injuries.
- Obtain Driver and Witness Information
If you are able to, exchange information with the other driver at the scene. Be sure to obtain names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance information. Also, collect the names and contact information of any people who may have witnessed the accident.
If you are not able to collect this information at the scene, some of it may be obtainable from the police accident report. If an accident report was created without your input, it is important to obtain a copy of this report and review it as soon as possible; if it was written only with input from the other side, it may unfairly represent what actually happened.
- Document Property Damage
Take pictures of the damage done to your automobile. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene from different angles, including the perspectives that would have been experienced by you and the other driver. Do not take your car in for repair without first speaking with your attorney and making sure all the evidence is properly preserved. For the same reason, it is a good idea to photograph any visible bodily injuries you have suffered.
- Don't Talk To Insurance Adjustors
The insurance company will send out an adjustor to assess the damage caused by the accident and estimate the cost. As insurance companies are motivated by profit, the adjustor in most instances will downplay the seriousness of the damage caused and try to get you to agree to settle for quick cash, often for much less than your case is actually worth. It is better for you not to talk to the adjustor, and certainly not to accept any money, until you have spoken with a lawyer first.
- Contact an Experienced Attorney
Obtaining a final settlement or judgment in your case may take many months or longer. Don't delay in contacting an attorney after your accident. Important evidence could be lost, and key deadlines could be missed. Attorney Mark A. Doughty has over thirty years of experience practicing personal injury law in Northern California. He knows the proper steps to take in preparing your case for trial, and knows how to negotiate with the insurance companies to obtain a just settlement that fairly compensates you for your medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and lost earnings.
If you have been involved in an automobile accident or otherwise been injured due to another's negligence, contact the Law Offices of Mark A. Doughty today for a free consultation.
