It can be tricky in the aftermath of a car accident to recover fair compensation through an insurance claim. After all, insurance companies know how to make a profit by minimizing or denying valid claims, and offering low settlement awards that do not cover the full cost of their claimant’s injuries and losses. But the more evidence and information that you have after a car accident, the stronger your claim will be, which means it isn’t as easy for insurance companies to refute.
It also helps to have a lawyer represent you and help handle your car accident claim, according to a car accident attorney as a way to ensure that your best interests are protected and that you receive maximum compensation. All too often innocent people are hurt in car accidents that someone else causes, but they don’t receive what they need financially to overcome how the crash impacted their lives and health.
You should begin collecting evidence as soon as you can after the accident. That is, unless you were so severely injured that you were not able to gather evidence, in which other types of proof can be gathered at a later time. But if you are physically able, take photographs and video immediately following the crash, including close-ups of property damage and wide-angle photographs of the entire scene. Pictures can go a long way in showing what words may not fully be able to express, so gathering visual evidence is key.
Before you leave the scene of the accident, it’s a good idea to get the names and contact details of all eyewitnesses. These people can provide testimony as to what they saw and how or why the crash happened. Eyewitnesses may have noticed the at fault driver being distracted or driving recklessly moments before the collision occurred. Multiple eyewitnesses who state the same thing can offer a strong case that the other driver was responsible for what happened.
It is usually in your best interest to call 911 so that an officer can help at the scene and you can also receive medical attention. The officer who responds is going to write a report for the accident. Ask for the officer’s badge number and where you can pick up a copy of the police report in the days after. This document is going to have factual details about the collision, which can be used in your favor to show the other driver was at-fault.
Having evidence that supports your side of the story will be paramount, and the more proof that you have the more difficult it will be to reduce or deny your claim. Always put your health first and don’t accept the first settlement amount an insurance company offers you, as it’s probably only a fraction of your total loss. Visual evidence such as photographs and video are not easy to dispute. For protection as your claim is being handled, consider speaking with a lawyer near you.