Having a car accident can be horribly upsetting, and it is not uncommon to go into shock after it happens. Unfortunately, it is very important to be alert and level-headed right after you have a collision as it may affect your ability to get your medical bills paid. Doctors’ bills, surgery, and medicine can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. In order to make sure you are well taken care of after an accident, you need to collect the proper evidence to present to your insurance company.
What to do at The Scene
When you have a car accident, you should pull over to the side of the road and find out if anyone has been injured. You should then call the police and wait for them to arrive. You will want to take pictures of the car, the road, and the damage to any property. You will want to get the names and contact information of any witnesses. You should also exchange information with the other drivers involved in the accident.
If an ambulance arrives and the EMTs recommend that you be taken to the hospital, you should always go. Even if you feel fine and you do not need an ambulance, you should go see your doctor at your earliest convenience. Some injuries are not immediately obvious such as whiplash.
Collecting Evidence
Be sure to make a copy of every medical building that you receive. You should also gather bills from physical therapy and alternative treatments. You should save the receipts from all prescription and non-prescription medications that you have taken as a result of your accident. Ask your employer to write you a letter stating the number of hours you have missed away from work and the amount of salary that it has cost you.
If you have missed any major personal events due to your injuries, be sure to document them. If you bought airline tickets to travel to a family party, graduation, or wedding, and you are unable to get a refund, you may be able to receive compensation from your insurance company. To learn more, click here turnbullinjurylaw.com.
Calling Your Insurance Company
You should call your insurance company as soon as you can after an accident. Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to accident insurance. This means that a driver’s own insurance company will pay their accident-related bills no matter who was at fault.
The insurance representative will ask you questions about the crash, and they may ask to tape-record you, but you do not have to let them.
The insurance company will have 64 days to either accept or deny your claim. There is a good chance they will try to lowball you at first. If they offer you too little money or if they deny your claim entirely, you will want to speak to a personal injury attorney in Florida.
Finding an Attorney
Most personal injury attorneys will offer a free consultation to potential clients. They will normally take a percentage of any settlement that you get. The lawyer you select should have years of experience in personal injury law and be well versed in the court system of Florida. They should also have a stellar reputation with the state’s bar association.
Getting injured in an accident is painful, stressful, and time-consuming. If you take all the appropriate steps, you will eventually make it back on the road.