Taking the Next Steps After an Accident
When a careless driver isn’t paying attention and causes an auto accident, the consequences can be disastrous. The victims often suffer serious, life-changing injuries. There is also the overwhelming financial burden of medical bills, lost income, vehicle repair expenses, and the emotional stress caused by an accident.
Our team at The Berger Firm can help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve for an accident that is not your fault. With decades of experience informing our legal strategy, we work hard so that we can help you seek the best possible outcome in or out of the courtroom. We are proud to serve clients in Covington, Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati, and northern Kentucky, including Newport and Florence.
What to Do After an Accident
After an accident happens, there are several steps you need to take to make sure you are safe and prepared for what comes next.
Prioritize Your Safety and Seek Medical Care
The first priority needs to be your safety. If the accident occurred on a busy road or highway, get somewhere safe as soon as possible.
It is critical to seek medical care immediately. It should be a priority because, in certain situations, it takes days or even weeks for some symptoms to appear. At that point, it may be too late to reverse the damage. In addition, keeping your record of medical diagnosis from the accident will help you file an insurance claim.
Unfortunately, if you do not seek professional medical help, some insurance companies will use that fact against you. Especially if you are filing a claim against an at-fault driver, the insurance company will conclude that your injury was not serious if you do not seek medical care immediately after an accident.
Call the Police
Your next step is to call the police. It’s essential to have the details of the accident recorded in an official police report.
Document the Accident
A few examples of how you can document an accident include:
Take pictures of your vehicle
Take pictures of the other driver’s vehicle
Take pictures of the scene
Collect the other driver’s information, including their name, phone number, driver’s license number, and license plate number
If anyone else witnessed the accident, collect their name and phone number, so that your attorney will be able to contact them for further details. Their account of the accident may end up helping your case. Moreover, you should write down your account of the accident to have a record for your attorney as well.
Notify Your Insurance Company
As soon as possible, notify your insurance company that you were involved in an accident. Just like seeking medical care as quickly as possible, notify your insurance company to strengthen your claim.
Also, some insurance companies require that you notify them of an accident within as few as two days after the accident happened. Make it a priority to notify your insurance company to avoid complications.
Hire an Attorney
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you deal with the financial stress caused by an accident while you recover from the crash. With the help of The Berger Firm, you can seek the full financial compensation that you deserve. When you hire a knowledgeable attorney, you partner with someone who has experience negotiating with insurance companies and provides clarity about the laws of Kentucky.
Potential Pitfalls
As you recover from the accident, hidden or unsuspected difficulties may emerge. Below are some common obstacles you may encounter.
Uninsured Drivers
If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, it’s helpful to work with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can help you pursue compensation. If the other driver does not have insurance, a claim cannot be made against their insurance company. However, you still need to make a claim with your insurance company. Find out if you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Consider All Costs
It is essential to consider all costs associated with an auto accident. A few examples include medical bills (if you are injured), repairs to your vehicle, and sometimes you may also be losing part of your income trying to deal with the outcome of the accident.
Make Sure All Medical Costs Are Final
It is crucial to make sure that all medical costs are final. Hospital visits will begin to add up, and some medical bills take months to get to you. In the days, weeks, and months after an accident, you may visit the emergency room, see your regular doctor, or consult with specialists.
Low First Settlement Offers
In Kentucky, whether the accident was your fault or the other driver’s, it is required to file a claim with your insurance company immediately. When your insurance company offers you a settlement right after the accident, it is more than likely a low offer.
Your compensation, or damages, need to cover all the costs caused by your accident. Work with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine what a fair offer is considering the facts of your accident.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the deadline by which you must file a lawsuit. In Kentucky, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Once that date has passed, you will no longer be able to file your claim.
Rely On Our Experience at The Berger Firm
After an auto accident, protect yourself by following these critical steps. While you focus on your recovery, work with an experienced personal injury attorney to pursue the compensation you deserve. Our team at The Berger Firm has decades of experience working for our client’s best interests. We are proud to represent clients in Covington, Kentucky, the Greater Cincinnati area, and northern Kentucky, including Newport and Florence. Contact our firm today to schedule your free consultation.