Understanding the Legal Process: Steps to Take After a Car Accident Injury

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience. It is understandable that car accident victims are often uncertain about what steps to take after suffering an injury. There is a lot that needs to be done, and any mistakes can undermine the pursuit of fair compensation for your suffering. Here is what you should do after a car crash.

Get Medical Attention

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, your top priority should be to ensure you and others involved in the accident get medical care. Not only is this important for the treatment of the injuries, but it also serves as crucial evidence to establish how the injury happened and the cost of treatment. 

Contact Law Enforcement 

You also must notify the law enforcement officials about the accident. In most cases, the police will arrive at the accident site and write an incident or police report. This is another important piece of evidence in a car accident claim or lawsuit. The police may also talk to eyewitnesses and include that information in the incident report. 

Gather Evidence

If your condition is stable, you can start gathering evidence at the crash site. You can take photos of the property damage and visible injuries. Ideally, you want to exchange contact information with the other drivers involved in the accident, but if they are unwilling to share, don’t confront them. 

Anyone who flees the accident site can be held liable for a hit-and-run offense. Therefore, you should always complete all the legal proceedings at the accident site before leaving. 

Initiate a Claim 

The next step is to initiate a claim with your insurance company. However, do not admit to any fault as this can undermine your case. Also, do not accept any settlement unless you have consulted an attorney. You need to initiate the claim within the statute of limitation of your state. 

Injury Settlement Negotiations

You want to have a lawyer on your side to help you settle the case out of court. The lawyer can handle negotiations with the opposing party for maximum compensation for your suffering. Most car accident claims are settled out of court, but if there is a massive gap between what one party is offering, and what the other is willing to accept, there might not be an agreement. 

Trial 

If no settlement can be reached, the case will move to a trial, where a judge or jury will decide on the case. Both sides will present evidence, such as witnesses or experts, to help strengthen the case. The lawyers will have an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses and present their arguments. The judge or jury will deliberate on the proceedings and will eventually share the verdict. 

Understanding the legal process can help you protect your rights during car accident time. For expert legal guidance on what to do after a car crash injury, contact an experienced car accident attorney in Wheeling. They can help you understand your rights and obligations. If you were not at fault, it’s your right to seek compensation for your losses.