You may be a careful driver with a clean driving record. However, the other driver may be at fault, hitting your car and causing you damage. Should I hire a no-fault defense lawyer, yet it wasn’t your mistake that the accident happened?
It is inappropriate for a no-fault driver to assume that everything will work in your favour because the other driver is responsible for the accident. However, you need to prove you’re free from any wrongdoing.
The driver may not seek legal redress, but a car accident attorney can help you file a lawsuit or claim against the other negligent party.
What happens when the accident wasn’t your fault?
The likely turn of events should come from the third-party’s insurance provider. While you may think you’re free from blame, the third-party insurance provider may trick you into accepting a lower compensation and try blaming you for the accident. They often appear friendly and genuine and quickly offer you lowball compensation. The offer does not fully cater to your medical bills and future appointments or recovery.
Hiring a personal injury attorney protects you from signing any document and engaging directly with the other party’s insurance provider. Your lawyer is your legal representative for all negotiations.
What to do right after the accident
Remain calm
A car crash is traumatizing. You’ll be in shock immediately after the other driver hits your car. Remember to breathe so you can think rationally. Get out of the car and check if you have any injuries. You can also check your passengers for injuries and life-threatening situations. Call 911 to request emergency medical assistance and report the accident.
Do not move your car from the scene of the accident. Preserving the scene of the accident is critical for the police report. However, ensure everyone is out of the way to prevent further injuries or damages.
Call the police
Call the traffic police and report the accident giving your location and personal details. Give details about the injured passengers and fatalities, if any. Do not flee from the scene of the accident. Some drivers panic and flee from the scene of the accident, especially when they are not sure about their contribution to the accident.
Gather information
Gather information about the accident while you wait for the police to arrive. You can take photos and video clips to help with investigations. You can ask the driver at fault what they know about the accident but do not rely on their account. The driver at fault is likely to shift blame to you even when it is clear they were negligent. And while at it, gather the following information:
- Name, phone number and address of the other driver
- The number plate or registration details of the other car
- Insurance company provider and policy number of all the cars involved in the accident
- Pictures of the scene of the accident, car damage and injuries ion all the passengers
- Contact information for any eyewitness
The other driver
It is the responsibility of the driver at fault to call his insurance provider and inform them about the accident. Unfortunately, if the other driver is at fault, he may not cooperate. Consequently, get details about the insurance coverage for future use. Remember, you’ll file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. The information and evidence you gather will help your lawyer pursue compensation.
Call your insurance provider
Although the other driver’s insurance company is liable for your losses and injuries, your insurance provider can help you out. Typically, the at-fault driver’s insurance should cater to your medical expenses. However, things do not always go as expected.
You protect yourself when you inform your insurer about the accident before things go wrong. The at-fault insurance provider may reduce your settlement threshold. They may also try to blame you for the accident. And in extreme cases, they can deny a claim for the accident.
When you inform your insurance provider about the accident, they can cover your losses, if the other party denies responsibility. However, it helps to hire a no-fault defense lawyer to negotiate for you and present your case to the insurance adjusters. A car accident attorney also helps you if you’re not sure what you should say about the case of the accident. A lawyer is a legal professional to represent you in all sittings and appeals your claim if needed.
Seek medical attention
Once you leave the scene, visit a medical facility for a routine check-up. Some drivers may not notice their injuries immediately after an accident. However, seeing a doctor soon after leaving the accident scene gives you a clean bill of health to go home. Some accidents do not impact your body until a few days after the collision.
Further, seeing a medical doctor provides the necessary documentation to prove your need for compensation. You are likely to receive compensation if your lawyer gets a comprehensive medical report from the attending doctor.
Call a car accident lawyer
The other driver should take over the collision case when you are not at fault for the accident. However, many drivers deny responsibility. The other driver’s insurance will likely give you lowball compensation or deny responsibility.
However, hiring a car accident lawyer protects you from exploitation by the other party. The lawyer negotiates with the other insurance company for fair compensation. If the other party accepts responsibility, the case ends successfully. However, if they refuse to cater to your losses, damages and injuries, your lawyer can file a claim. The lawyer walks with you to ensure you receive a worthwhile payment and the best outcome.
Do not accept blame
You should not give any written records about the accident until your lawyer arrives. The other party can use your statement to build a case against you and deny you compensation.
Conclusion
The most careful driver can get involved in an accident caused by another driver’s carelessness. Remember to remain calm and vigilant to record all the details of the accident. Hiring a personal injury attorney will safeguard your interest in the case.
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