More than six million car accidents occur each year in the United States. Of these six million accidents, countless numbers result in serious injuries. It is estimated that a person is injured in a car accident every 14 seconds in the United States.
Despite these statistics, an auto accident is anything but routine - and can result in an extremely fast moving and stressful situation for those involved. Being prepared in advance, and knowing how to handle a serious auto accident can prevent some of the most common mistakes injured drivers make. Being prepared will help when it is time to demand a fair settlement for you and your family.
What to do if you are in an Auto Accident:
- Take a moment to compose yourself. Take a deep breath and try to remain calm.
- Put on your emergency flashers, and if possible move vehicle out of the roadway to avoid additional danger.
- Check for injuries, and call the ambulance ASAP in case of an emergency. If you are in doubt as to the severity of an injury, err on the side of caution and call an ambulance. Your health is the most important thing when dealing with a serious accident.
- Notify the police and cooperate fully with the officer by providing a truthful and detailed account of the accident. Do not admit fault or accuse another driver of fault, just state the facts and the officer will do his/her job. Be sure to point out any pain or discomfort you are feeling so the officer can note this in their police report.
- Document the scene of the accident as best as you can. This includes getting the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- If you are hurt, contact your personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The earlier your attorney gets involved, the better chance you have of reaching a fair settlement. Your attorney can help you file your claim, see to the details, and negotiate your recovery.
- Do not discuss the accident with an insurance adjuster, or sign any documents until you speak with an attorney. Remember that when you are speaking with an insurance adjuster, that you are speaking with someone with an adverse interest. An insurance adjuster's primary goal is to protect the financial position of the insurance company, and to provide you with the smallest settlement possible. Most personal injury attorneys deal with insurance companies on a daily basis, and can easily navigate you through this otherwise very difficult process.
- Visit a doctor as soon as possible after your accident to get a written catalogue of your injuries. When meeting with your doctor, be sure to be specific and thorough when describing all of your injuries. The longer you wait to do this, the better chance the insurance company has of discrediting your injuries, and limiting the financial compensation that you can receive.
If you need help contact the personal injury attorneys of Rutter Mills
Despite these statistics, an auto accident is anything but routine - and can result in an extremely fast moving and stressful situation for those involved. Being prepared in advance, and knowing how to handle a serious auto accident can prevent some of the most common mistakes injured drivers make. Being prepared will help when it is time to demand a fair settlement for you and your family.
What to do if you are in an Auto Accident:
- Take a moment to compose yourself. Take a deep breath and try to remain calm.
- Put on your emergency flashers, and if possible move vehicle out of the roadway to avoid additional danger.
- Check for injuries, and call the ambulance ASAP in case of an emergency. If you are in doubt as to the severity of an injury, err on the side of caution and call an ambulance. Your health is the most important thing when dealing with a serious accident.
- Notify the police and cooperate fully with the officer by providing a truthful and detailed account of the accident. Do not admit fault or accuse another driver of fault, just state the facts and the officer will do his/her job. Be sure to point out any pain or discomfort you are feeling so the officer can note this in their police report.
- Document the scene of the accident as best as you can. This includes getting the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- If you are hurt, contact your personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The earlier your attorney gets involved, the better chance you have of reaching a fair settlement. Your attorney can help you file your claim, see to the details, and negotiate your recovery.
- Do not discuss the accident with an insurance adjuster, or sign any documents until you speak with an attorney. Remember that when you are speaking with an insurance adjuster, that you are speaking with someone with an adverse interest. An insurance adjuster's primary goal is to protect the financial position of the insurance company, and to provide you with the smallest settlement possible. Most personal injury attorneys deal with insurance companies on a daily basis, and can easily navigate you through this otherwise very difficult process.
- Visit a doctor as soon as possible after your accident to get a written catalogue of your injuries. When meeting with your doctor, be sure to be specific and thorough when describing all of your injuries. The longer you wait to do this, the better chance the insurance company has of discrediting your injuries, and limiting the financial compensation that you can receive.
If you need help contact the personal injury attorneys of Rutter Mills
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