What should you do after a car accident injury?

More than four million people reside in the greater Los Angeles area. The majority of those residents use their automobiles as their primary mode of transportation.  In view of this, it is no surprise that there are thousands of car accidents in Los Angeles every year. 

Most drivers understand the protocol for reporting car accidents and exchanging information, but injuries to the drivers or any passengers will add a layer of complexity to that protocol. The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Ellis Law Corporation caution those drivers and passengers not to ignore their injuries. In every car accident injury case, there is a possibility that an injured party can collect damages from a negligent party to reimburse medical expenses and other costs. The basic answer to the question of what you should do after a car accident injury is to remain as calm, get medical attention, and collect as much information about the accident as is possible. You can simplify that process when you contact an experienced car accident and personal injury lawyer to start the process of recovering the damages you deserve.

Get prompt medical care for your injuries, regardless of how minor they may be.

A bump or bruise might seem minor at first, but that injury can become worse if it is not treated promptly. In particular, if you hit your head in the car accident, you should see a doctor to verify  that you have not suffered a concussion. If you delay medical treatment, the party that caused the accident can later argue that your delay in seeking treatment is evidence that your injury was not serious, or that it occurred after the accident.

Follow your physician’s recommendations.

Your doctor might tell you to skip a few days of work or to have a few weeks of physical therapy to help your injuries heal. Do not ignore these instructions, even if following them means that you will miss part of your regular wages when you are not at work. If you fail to follow your doctor’s orders and your injuries get worse, the negligent party that caused the accident will claim that you are partially responsible for your own injuries and any extra medical costs that you might incur.

Contact an experienced car accident lawyer immediately after the accident.

Your injuries can distract you from collecting information about the accident, and in any case your first priority will be to recover from those injuries. Even if you do not believe that your injuries are serious, you should contact a knowledgeable lawyer, who will immediately begin to investigate the accident and to analyze the necessary facts to determine its cause. Witness memories will fade and evidence will be dissipated if you wait very long to contact a lawyer. You might also forfeit your right to sue for your damages if you delay taking any action before the statute of limitations expires.

Keep accurate copies of all expenses and other matters.

Retain copies of all of your medical bills, as well as records of transportation costs to get to and from your medical appointments. Keep a diary of how many days you missed work and of the wages you lost as a result of the accident. Your car accident lawyer will use your records of the extra expenses that you incur as a result of the accident to verify your actual economic losses and to argue for the largest possible damages award. 

Refer all communications from insurance companies to your lawyer.

Car insurance companies prefer to settle accident cases quickly, before injured parties retain legal counsel. If you accept an early settlement offer from an insurance company, you are likely forfeiting your right to recover the full amount of damages to compensate you for all of your injuries and losses. Focus on your recovery, and let your lawyer deal with the insurers.  

Call the Ellis Law Corporation for advice on what you should do after a car accident injury

Andy Ellis is the Los Angeles car accident lawyer who leads the Ellis Law Corporation.  He and his team of dedicated personal injury lawyers represent car accident victims to recover the largest possible damages awards to compensate them for their injuries. If you have suffered an injury in a car accident in Los Angeles or elsewhere in southern California, please contact one of our personal injury lawyers as soon as is possible after the accident for a complimentary analysis of your case. The damages that you might be entitled to recover will be a function of the specific circumstances of your accident. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to frame those circumstances to show the full extent of your losses and to argue for the largest damages award that may be available.