You have been in an accident, and you have done everything you should have done to stay safe and to accurately report the accident. What should you do AFTER the accident?
(1) See a lawyer. If you have any serious injuries at all, you will need good advice. At Koch & Brim our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have the experience to guide you through your claim.
(2) Tell the truth. Never lie about your accident or about your injuries to your lawyer, to a police officer, to your doctor, to an insurance company, or even to your friends or family. Don’t be afraid to talk about the accident, but don’t exaggerate.
(3) Get healthy again. Getting healthy again is by far the most important thing you can do after an accident, far more important than making a claim for your injuries.
(4) Do exactly what your doctor tells you to do. Keep your appointments. Take your medications. Follow his advice.
(5) Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company, and never sign anything from them unless your attorney advises you to do so. Even well-intentioned insurance adjusters have been known to confuse people about what they are signing. The paper that you are signing to get you car fixed might also be releasing your rights to recovery for your injuries. You don’t want to find out later that gave away your rights when you had your car repaired.
(6) Tell your lawyer about any accidents or injuries you may have had in the past, especially if t hey are in any way similar to your new injuries. Insurance companies are thorough, and when your lawyer takes your case to trial you don’t want him to be surprised by something that you didn’t tell him.
(7) Keep a record of how you feel, when you saw your doctor, what medications you are taking, and how your injuries affect you. You may not remembering everything later, and lawsuits can take years to resolve.
(8) Don’t try to be “tough”. People who are hurt often try to do more than they know they should. Be aware that insurance companies sometimes videotape people who make injury claims to see if they are playing sports, carrying heavy objects, or doing something else not consistent with their injuries. Insurance companies have even been known to stage an event, such as letting the air out of a car tire, to see if they can get a videotape of the claimant changing his tire.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, call Koch & Brim today! Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers can answer any questions that you might have, explain your rights, and make the entire process easy.