What if I Have Been Hurt in a Car Accident?
If you have been hurt in a car accident, it is critical that you seek medical attention immediately. Do not hesitate to go to the emergency room or an urgent care center, even if you think your injuries are not serious.
If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, their insurance company will allege your injuries were not as debilitating as you claim or that they may even have occurred from another cause if you wait for an examination and treatment.
Your own health is at risk if you put off a medical examination. Some serious conditions are not apparent right after an accident.
Expect the other party’s insurance company to contact you within a few days of the collision. Do not agree to any settlement from the insurance company before obtaining legal advice. The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Ellis Injury Law will protect your rights while helping you receive the amount you deserve for your injuries. Our dedicated attorneys have recovered more than $350 million in compensation for our clients in settlements and verdicts.
What to do after a car accident
A severely injured person must usually rely on someone else’s assistance. If you are able, call 911 and report the accident. Get the name, contact, and insurance information from the other driver, as well as their driver’s license number. Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
Photograph or video the accident scene in detail. Besides the vehicles involved and their license plate numbers, document any injuries, any evidence relating to the crash, and road conditions.
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Speak to an attorney before giving your own insurance carrier information about the accident and your injuries.
Follow doctor’s orders
Always follow your doctor’s orders regarding your treatment and make sure to attend all appointments. If physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation are involved, go to all sessions. If you skip appointments, the insurance company may allege that you were not hurt that badly.
Obey any restrictions, such as not driving, participating in various activities, or not lifting more than a certain weight. Insurance companies often send employees to surveil claimants. If the camera finds you lifting heavy bags of groceries out of the car or even carrying a young child, they will again question the severity of your injuries.
Do not return to work until your doctor releases you to do so. Going back to work before healing sufficiently can harm your claim.
Avoid social media
You want to tell your friends and family about your injury, but do not use social media to do so. Insurers scour social media posts to find ways to distort your claim. An innocent comment to a loved one may get twisted so that it sounds like your injuries are less serious than they are.
You could also inadvertently post something making you sound at fault for the accident.
Tell family members to avoid discussing the accident on social media as insurance company employees may also check their accounts.
Car accident damages
In California, damages, or compensation, for car accident injuries may include:
- Medical expenses, current, and future
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
A car accident lawyer knows a fair settlement amount for your case based on your injuries and the long-term repercussions. While most cases are settled, we will litigate your case if the insurance company does not agree to a reasonable settlement.
Contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer
If you or someone you know was hurt in a car accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another driver, you need the services of the experienced car accident attorneys at Ellis Injury Law. Schedule a complimentary consultation by calling or texting us 24/7 or submitting our online form.
We operate on a contingency basis, so you do not pay a fee unless you receive compensation.