Sep
23
If you have been involved in a car accident as a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist, and have suffered injuries or any personal loss to property, vehicle, motorbike, cycle, and so on, the first and most important thing to do is to calm down. Being involved in an accident is a traumatic experience and requires to be dealt with in a calm manner. The accident has happened and that is a fact that has to be accepted. If there has been personal injury, inform the police and ambulance services; if you are trapped in the car, ask someone to make the calls. No matter how minor or major the accident may be, inform the police. You never know what action the other person or people are going to take. So, safeguard yourself. Get all the details regarding those involved in the accident and try to take pictures of the site and draw a sketch of the accident. Don’t forget to inform your near and dear ones - and your insurance company.
In case of personal injury, get medical help immediately. No matter how minor the cuts or bruises may appear, go and see a general practitioner or go to a hospital for treatment. After getting medical attention go home and rest. Take the day off if you were on your way to work. Don’t immediately sit down to file a claim. Some injuries may not start to hurt, or the symptoms may not appear, till 48 hours have passed.
Don’t rush into filing claims. If any injury appears or continues after filing a claim, there will be no option of re-filing a claim, as the claim will have already been filed. So, wait until 48 hours after the accident, visit the doctor, get a check up and until a clean bill of health is given and you feel that you are in the same condition that you were in before the accident happened, don’t file a claim. The insurance company is aware of the accident, so take your time. There is no law that forces filing of a claim for damages from an accident immediately, so don’t rush.
Rushing into filing a claim for damages and obtaining a settlement may cause loss of your rightful dues. So wait and consult a lawyer who will provide the best guidance concerning what to do. But care must be taken in selecting a lawyer. A lawyer may browbeat you into opting for an immediate settlement, or the driver at fault may try and persuade you to make an early settlement. Don’t fall for these traps.
Claiming damages in terms of mental and physical health, loss, repair for vehicle, and use of alternative transport are all costs that can be claimed - including lost time from work.
Therefore, rushing into filing a claim right after an accident may only end up covering the initial cost, not the total cost that may be borne after an accident. Because of this, it is advisable to show patience and not get talked into any immediate settlements.
By: David Halbert
About the Author:
In case of personal injury, get medical help immediately. No matter how minor the cuts or bruises may appear, go and see a general practitioner or go to a hospital for treatment. After getting medical attention go home and rest. Take the day off if you were on your way to work. Don’t immediately sit down to file a claim. Some injuries may not start to hurt, or the symptoms may not appear, till 48 hours have passed.
Don’t rush into filing claims. If any injury appears or continues after filing a claim, there will be no option of re-filing a claim, as the claim will have already been filed. So, wait until 48 hours after the accident, visit the doctor, get a check up and until a clean bill of health is given and you feel that you are in the same condition that you were in before the accident happened, don’t file a claim. The insurance company is aware of the accident, so take your time. There is no law that forces filing of a claim for damages from an accident immediately, so don’t rush.
Rushing into filing a claim for damages and obtaining a settlement may cause loss of your rightful dues. So wait and consult a lawyer who will provide the best guidance concerning what to do. But care must be taken in selecting a lawyer. A lawyer may browbeat you into opting for an immediate settlement, or the driver at fault may try and persuade you to make an early settlement. Don’t fall for these traps.
Claiming damages in terms of mental and physical health, loss, repair for vehicle, and use of alternative transport are all costs that can be claimed - including lost time from work.
Therefore, rushing into filing a claim right after an accident may only end up covering the initial cost, not the total cost that may be borne after an accident. Because of this, it is advisable to show patience and not get talked into any immediate settlements.
By: David Halbert
About the Author:
Start your car accident claim now at My Injury Lawyer
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