What Should I Do in the Days Following a Car Accident?
In the days right after a car accident, your focus should be on restoring your physical health and recovering from the accident’s financial damages. To do this, you should:
- Call the police to file or obtain your car accident report
- Stick to the prescribed treatment plan for your injuries
- Contact or follow up with a car accident legal team
- Start saving bills and other documents for your case file
If you involve them in your fight for compensation immediately, a personal injury lawyer from our firm might be able to help you define what you should do in the days following a car accident. Our shared goal after a car accident is to ensure your injuries are treated, your physical recovery is heading in the right direction, and that you receive the financial compensation you may be entitled to collect.
Your Car Accident Report May Provide Key Evidence
In most cases, your car accident report will be ready for pick-up within days of the accident. As soon as it is available, request a copy for yourself and one for your legal team. They may use it to obtain car accident details and contact the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
Your car accident report may also contain notes that indicate the at-fault driver’s:
- Driving errors or behaviors
- Obvious traffic violations
- Physical condition
- Mental alertness
- Suspected impairments
Your car accident report might also contain indicators of property damage, injuries, and fatalities. Do not overlook the value of your car accident report.
Do Not Veer from Your Treatment Plan
The injuries you sustain in a car accident might carry a hefty price tag. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the approximate annual cost of car accidents at $75 billion. In addition to the cost of stabilizing and diagnosing your injuries, your expenses may continue to accumulate if your treatment plan is lengthy.
When another driver causes an accident and you are injured, you do not deserve to have financial pressure added to the stress of your physical symptoms. Per the American Bar Association (ABA), in addition to medical care until your recovery is complete, the at-fault driver might be responsible for your:
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional trauma
- Physical disfigurement
As you begin to receive medical bills, referrals, and prescriptions, start saving them in an easy-to-remember location. Your lawyer may request these items to help substantiate the value of the injury portion of your car accident lawsuit.
Find Out What a Car Accident Lawyer Does for You
You might be tempted to accept a speedy settlement offer simply to resolve your lawsuit. When you do so, you might inadvertently accept a settlement offer that is too small to cover your expenses. In addition to negotiating for a favorable settlement, a car accident lawyer from our firm might be able to:
- Deal with the at-fault driver’s insurer
- Comply with your state’s filing deadline
- Regularly update you on your case
- Build an organized, effective case file
By entrusting your potential lawsuit to a lawyer, you have more time to concentrate on your physical recovery and ensure adherence to your treatment plan.
Build a Case File that Bolsters and Supports Your Lawsuit
When your lawyer helps you seek compensation from the at-fault driver, he may start by building a case file that tells the story of your accident. An effective case file may contain your:
- Official car accident report
- Medical records and bills
- Vehicle repair estimates
- Salary history documents
Let Our Team Help You Build a Solid Case for Compensation
Do not hesitate to get our team started building your compensation lawsuit right away. Contact the personal injury team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers by calling (337) 777-7777 immediately. Our lawyers work on a contingency-fee-basis, so there are no up-front or out-of-pocket fees for our services.