Personal Injury Lawyers

Washington, DC, Maryland & Virginia

After a car accident, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the claims process, medical needs, and potential lost income you may face as a result of your injuries. All too often, accident victims try to handle claims without an attorney so they can reach a resolution as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, a wrong word or a simple mistake during the post-accident process can cost you. Insurance companies are not concerned with your welfare; like any business, they are interested in making a profit, which means reducing the amount of money paid out to you.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

There are a few key steps you should follow immediately after an accident to protect your rights. If you have been seriously injured and cannot perform one or more of these steps, it is all the more important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Obtain contact information. Be sure you have the names, phone numbers, license information, and insurance information of every person involved in the accident. Obtain contact information for any witnesses as well.
Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine right after the accident, some injuries – such as whiplash – do not start showing painful symptoms until a few days later. You should be thoroughly examined by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident and the onset of symptoms. Be sure to obtain a detailed report from them about your injuries.
Take photographs of the accident. Include damage on all vehicles, road conditions, and any other environmental factors that may have contributed to the incident. Photographs are an essential way of protecting your claim, as they are very hard to dispute.
Only speak with the police. You should not give statements to the other driver’s insurance company, or any other party until you have consulted with an attorney. When you are speaking to the police, do not admit fault; but provide the facts about the accident.
Preserve evidence. It may not seem like it, but even insignificant items – such as a broken cell phone or the clothes you were wearing at the time of the accident – can be valuable to your case. Do not throw away anything that is even remotely connected to the accident.

What may seem like a straightforward car accident claim can quickly turn into a more complex case if you are not prepared for the various tactics insurance companies and other parties may use against you. If your injuries prevent you from giving your claim the careful attention it needs, or if you try to negotiate with your insurance company by yourself, you may lose valuable compensation that you and your family need in order to properly recover.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC, our attorneys can thoroughly investigate the accident to determine the true value of your claim. Don’t settle for less; contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

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