Have you been injured in a car accident? It can be a traumatic event but it’s more common than you think. A shocking 1.35 million people die in car accidents every year and 20-50 million suffer from injuries.
However, if you have been injured, it’s not enough to be thankful that you survived. You’ll want to file a case so that you get the compensation you deserve and you can pay your medical bills.
Here’s everything you need to know about what to do if you’re injured in a car accident.
1. Gather Witnesses and Licence Plate Numbers
One of the first things you need to do is to gather witnesses and license plate numbers in order to build a strong case.
At the scene of the crash, if you are not incapacitated, be sure to note down the license plate numbers of the other cars involved. If they try to drive off you may need to consider phoning the police or appealing for witnesses to track down the driver at a later date.
Put an appeal on Facebook and local newspapers to ask for any witnesses to the accident. Be sure to be as specific as possible so other people might remember and come forward.
Offering a reward might be ethically problematic as you would be entering into a financial arrangement and that might be perceived as bribery at court.
2. Get Yourself Checked Over
You need to get yourself checked over at someplace like an auto injury clinic to see what injuries you have sustained as a result of your accident.
This is a good idea anyway because you’ll know the state of your health going forward, but it’s also important for the case. If you have a detailed medical report you can be specific about the exact nature of your medical bills and the lasting impact the injury is likely to have for years or even decades to come.
3. Lawyer Up
You need a good lawyer to fight your case for you. Don’t hire any lawyer that you find through a generic Google search. Use specific SEO search terms to find lawyers specializing in personal injury claims and road accidents.
Also, rely on word of mouth. Ask friends and family members who have previously been involved in accidents whether they will be able to recommend a lawyer they feel is up to the required standard.
4. File Your Complaint and Summons
After hiring a good lawyer to take up your case, the next steps are to file the official documents to the court.
The first document is the complaint. This sets out your case to the court as well as the major parties involved.
Next is the summons, which sets out your case in further detail and is signed by the court.
Injured in a Car Accident? Get a Good Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a car accident then be sure to get a good lawyer who can guide you through the process of gathering witnesses and filing a complaint.
To read more about what to do if you’re injured in a car accident check out the rest of our site.