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Accident Aftermath: What to Do in the Days and Weeks After a Car Collision

  • By Admin
  • •
  • 21 Nov, 2017
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Auto Accident — Wreck Car Door in Aiken, SC
Car accidents seem like the type of thing that we only hear about happening to other people, so it can be devastating to be a victim of a collision yourself. One moment you're driving and thinking of your various obligations, and the next you're off the road wondering how everything changed so fast. Even if you were in a minor collision where the car was damaged a lot more than you were, you need to take care of yourself.

The trauma that can occur during an automobile accident can cause problems that show up days later, and of course there's the emotional aspect of coping with the fear of the moment and the hassle of having to get your car fixed or replaced. Below are a few things you should focus on now that the worst is over with and you're recovering from your injuries.

1. Notify Your Insurance Company

Hopefully you gathered enough information at the scene of the accident to file a thorough insurance claim. In the days after the accident, you might have difficulty remembering what happened, where the vehicles were positioned, and so forth, so consult the notes you took and call the at-fault driver's insurance company. Do this as soon after the accident as possible - no more than a few days later.

After you report the accident, the insurance company will give the claim to at least one claims adjuster, who will handle the claims for property damage or personal injury. You should also follow up with the at-fault driver. This can expedite the process and let the other party know that you're serious about pursuing the claim.

Do not discuss details of the accident with the driver, as they may use your words against you. You should only discuss these aspects with the claims adjuster or an attorney.

2. Care for Your Injuries

A car accident gives you an adrenaline rush that may cause your body to ignore injuries until later. Just because you feel fine after an accident doesn't mean that you are. You should see a doctor if you feel any kind of pain or discomfort, or possibly even if you feel okay, just in case. You could have some internal damages such as whiplash or a concussion, which may give you the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Headache
  • Blurry vision
  • Nausea
  • Pain and swelling in the neck
Some of these effects take days to manifest themselves, so it's a good idea to get a checkup as soon after the accident as you can. A checkup is also important in the event that you make a personal injury claim; if you sought medical treatment directly after the accident and found injuries, you'll be able to use your medical records to bolster your claim.

If you wait too long, adjusters may argue that you must not have been injured badly enough to merit compensation.

3. File a Lawsuit If Necessary

Settling is ideal, of course, but sometimes the at-fault driver's insurance company will fail to adequately cover your damages or the driver will refuse to pay more than their deductible even though you have injuries that haven't been paid for. In this case, you need to find a reputable car accident attorney to file a lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years from the date of the injury.

Your attorney will draft a formal complaint and send it to court, and the at-fault driver will be served with the complaint as well. You and the attorney will gather information from the other driver and compile evidence for the trial. Settling is still an option if, during this period, you receive an acceptable offer.

No one expects to be in a car accident, but it's important to prepare adequately in case one happens. You need to know what to do during the days and weeks after a crash. Take care of yourself physically, and file a claim with the insurance company. If your offer is unacceptable, contact Anderson & Anderson LLP for a consultation. We will help you seek adequate compensation for your injuries.
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