Taking the right steps after a Columbus GA car accident can make a big difference in your ability to recover money for your damages or injuries. In the state of Georgia, the person who causes a car accident is on the hook financially for any damaged property, medical expenses, pain and suffering, or other damages resulting from the accident. Knowing what actions to take, both immediately after the accident and in the following weeks, is the best way to improve your chances of getting fairly compensated.
Any major injuries sustained in a car accident are usually treated right away. Depending on the severity of the injuries, they may also require long-term care. For minor injuries, you should still see a doctor right away. Follow any instructions that your doctor gives you closely. When you seek medical treatment after an accident, the insurance company of the other driver is far less likely to successfully argue against your claim. There are downsides to not hiring an attorney in Columbus GA.
After the accident, it is important to do everything that your doctor tells you to, including pursuing any additional therapies that they recommend. Not only will this make a big difference in how fully you recover but it also will impact your ability to successfully file a claim. The insurance company of the other driver may try to prove that you didn’t follow your doctor’s instructions. Based on that, they may deny responsibility for the injuries, claiming that they were caused or worsened by your actions instead. Sadly, this could reduce the amount of compensation you obtain, keeping you from getting enough money to cover all of your medical expenses. It also could limit your ability to claim any additional damages for pain and suffering.
If you have doubts about the recommendations of your doctor, consider visiting a medical specialist or getting another opinion. No matter what, however, make sure that you continue getting professional medical care for the injuries that you sustained until you have fully recovered.
When you sign up for an insurance plan, you are essentially creating a contract between yourself and the insurance company. If you read your policy carefully, it usually will contain information about how long you can wait before letting the insurance company know about an accident. Typically, you only have a short window of time before you need to notify them. Even if you weren’t at fault, you still need to let your insurance company know that the accident occurred.
If you think that you did cause the accident and are hoping to file a claim under the collision coverage that you had with your insurer, consider talking to a lawyer first. You should also discuss your case with one of our attorneys before you reach out to the insurance company of the other driver.
If your injuries or damages were caused by another driver, their liability insurance will usually cover your claim. Keep in mind, however, that the insurance company will do everything they can to pay as little as possible. Any comments that you make to the insurance provider or the insurance adjuster could negatively impact the value of your payout. That is why you should say as little as possible to the insurance company. Even better, you should let a qualified attorney handle all accident-related communications for you.
Over time, you may lose track of details or forget important things that happened before, during, or after your accident. To keep from forgetting any essential information, write down everything you can remember about the accident as soon as you can after it occurs. Any notes that you take will make it easier to remember key details when putting together your claim.
Keep any additional information that you gathered at the accident scene readily available. This includes the names of any witnesses and their contact details, any photographs of the scene or your damaged vehicle, and any pictures of your injuries. These items can all be used as evidence when filing your claim.
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