Getting into a car accident can be one of the scariest events you’ll ever go through, but it’s also something everyone should be prepared for. Statistics show that the average driver is likely to experience three to four accidents over the course of their lifetime. Unfortunately, some of these accidents might be more serious, and getting injured in an accident can make the situation far more traumatic. Suddenly you might find yourself needing treatment and potentially facing huge medical bills without any way to pay them. Therefore, it is essential that you know exactly what to do if you’re injured in a car accident and what steps to take before the medical bills start piling up.
Keep Detailed Notes of Your Medical Treatment
As soon as you realize you were injured in the accident, you’ll want to immediately start keeping detailed notes and documentation about every doctor, therapist and any other medical professional you visit. It’s also important to have written documentation whenever one medical professional refers you to another. Similarly, you’ll want to have detailed records showing all of your medications and treatments as well as copies of all of your bills and medical records so that you can fully prove all of your injuries and medical expenses. In addition, it’s also a good idea to keep a journal documenting any missed days from work and describing the overall impact the injury has on your life since this can be used to help prove pain and suffering.
Consult an Auto Accident Attorney
One of the biggest keys to navigating the minefield of medical expenses and insurance claims is to seek out help from an experienced auto accident attorney. Insurance companies tend to try to settle injury claims for the smallest amount they possibly can, and hiring an attorney is the best way to ensure you’re fully compensated for all of your medical expenses. Moreover, your attorney can also deal with the insurance companies for you so that you can focus your time and energy on your recovery.
Be Extremely Careful about Who You Speak To
This is another area where having an attorney on your side can be of huge benefit. Basically, anything you say to the other driver’s insurance company or even the other driver could potentially be used against you when it comes time to negotiate the settlement. Therefore, it is vital that you not speak to anyone about the accident other than the police, your insurance company and your lawyer. This means that if the other insurance company tries to contact you, you should direct them to speak to your lawyer instead.
Don’t Settle until You Know the Full Extent of Your Injuries
Another trick insurance companies use is trying to settle auto accident claims as quick as possible. However, you should be extremely wary about taking any early settlement, and never sign a settlement agreement without first contacting your lawyer. In some cases, you might not know the full extent of your injuries and thus your necessary treatments until months after the accident. This is why it is essential that you wait and don’t sign any settlement agreement until you are sure that it includes compensation for all of your injuries and medical bills.
After your accident, the most important thing is that you focus on yourself and getting the necessary care and treatment for your injuries. However, this can be nearly impossible if you’re constantly being hounded by insurance adjusters and worrying about how to pay your medical bills. Therefore, it is critical that you understand what to do and what not to do so that you can immediately focus your energy on your recovery.
Author Info: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber.
