Car accidents are a daily occurrence in Alpharetta, leading to major and minor injuries as well as property damage costs. From T-bone accidents to simple fender benders, any sort of collisions can be devastating, both in terms of injuries and damage to your car. And without an Alpharetta car accident lawyer fighting for you, you could be on the hook for a large portion of the costs.
After a car accident that’s not your fault, you may get a settlement offer from your insurance company. This settlement is intended to pay for your medical bills, car repairs and other expenses you incurred. Unfortunately, insurance companies are businesses who are looking out for their bottom line more than your well-being. That means you’ll probably receive a lowball offer.
If you’ve never been in a car accident, you might think you have no choice but to accept the settlement offer. After all, it seems like if you don’t accept the offer, you won’t get anything. But by accepting the offer, you essentially eliminate your opportunity to file a lawsuit for greater compensation.
Before you accept any settlement offer you’ve received from the insurance company, it’s important to get a free consultation from an auto accident attorney in Alpharetta. They’ll review the details of your case, including the settlement offer and evidence you’ve collected to determine whether or not they can get you greater compensation.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Alpharetta
After you’ve been involved in a car wreck, there are certain steps you need to take. Not following these steps can not only be dangerous for your health but can also jeopardize your ability to file a successful personal injury lawsuit later on down the road.
1. Take a Breath and Assess Your Situation
The immediate aftermath of a car accident is stressful and hectic. You may be disoriented and have no idea what you need to do next. Take a deep breath and assess your situation. Evaluate yourself and determine if you have any serious injuries.
Then, check on any passengers in your car. If anyone has any serious injuries, especially to the neck or head, DON’T MOVE THEM unless their life is in immediate danger! If possible, check on the passengers in any other vehicle involved in the collision. Again, if they have serious injuries, don’t move them unless their life is in immediate danger, such as if the car is on fire.
2. Get to a Safe Location and Call 9-1-1
If your car is still operable, move it to the side of the road to get out of traffic. If the car isn’t operable, get yourself and any passengers to the side of the road (again, only if there are no serious injuries). If you have them, set up safety triangles or other visual signs to show other drivers you’re there.
Once you get to a safe location, call 9-1-1 and specifically request an ambulance. You will need to get evaluated by a medical professional on the scene. That way, any injuries you’ve sustained can be either treated immediately or taken to a hospital for treatment. Without seeking medical treatment as soon as possible, the defendant in a future lawsuit may be able to claim your injuries happened in an unrelated event.
3. Gather Information, But Limit What You Say
After your wreck, you’ll need to talk to the other driver(s) and gather information from them. When you’re talking to them, NEVER APOLOGIZE! It can be construed as taking blame for the accident, which can limit your ability to get the compensation you deserve. Instead, trade contact and insurance information, and try to get a picture of the other driver’s license plate.
You’ll also need to give a statement to the police when they arrive. Avoid guesses or conjectures when you give your statement. Instead, stick to the facts. For instance, let the police know that you were rear-ended, but don’t tell them it was because the other driver was suggested; after all, you don’t know if that’s the reason.
Also get statements from any witnesses, along with their contact information.
4. Seek Further Medical Treatment
Whether you go to the hospital or not after your collision, it’s important to seek further medical treatment within 48 hours of the incident. You may go to your doctor, the hospital or even a chiropractor, but having the fact that you received medical treatment within that window can really help with a future lawsuit.
You should always keep up with your medical treatments, and keep track of all medical expenses and diagnoses you receive. Otherwise, you may not heal as well as you could’ve, and you may not have as strong of a case for a lawsuit later on.
5. Call Your Insurance Provider
Unfortunately, you will need to call your insurance company and report the accident. Just like when you talk to the police, you want to provide only the bare facts to your insurer. Remember that your conversation will be recorded, and the agent will be looking for any reason to undercut the value of your claim.
If the agent starts asking deeper questions about what happened, let them know politely but firmly that you’d like to speak with your attorney before answering any other questions.
Talk with an Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer Today
The insurance company will do whatever they can to pay as little as possible after you get in a car accident. You need an experienced Alpharetta car accident attorney by your side to fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Alpharetta car accident lawyer now to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Your case is unique, and it deserves the attention of an attorney who knows how to fight the insurance company to get you every dime you deserve after your collision.