What to Do After a Car Accident in Memphis
After a car accident, you might feel lost and confused. You might be hurt and uncertain about your future. During this time, insurance companies may begin to pressure you into signing a quick and easy settlement. Their main goal is to get you to accept as little as possible so that they can put the accident behind them.
This is not in your best interest.
Sadly, many injured Memphis accident victims accept these settlements without understanding the ramifications. They are then left paying for future medical expenses or damages on their own.
Don’t let insurance companies dictate how much you receive after an accident. It is important to know what to do and what not to do when seeking compensation after an accident. After all, the steps you take after a Memphis car accident will make a significant impact on your ability to recover and move forward in the future.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After a car accident in Memphis, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. There is a lot to do in the moments, days, and weeks following the crash.
First, keep in mind that your injuries may prevent you from completing all of these steps after an accident. That’s ok. This is where the services of an experienced Memphis car accident attorney prove to be invaluable. Your attorney will ensure that everything is done quickly and correctly after your accident. This is the single best way to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
So, what can you do after a car accident to help your case?
Remain at the scene. In the state of Tennessee, you must remain at the scene of the accident. It is illegal to leave the crash scene, even if it is a minor collision. If you were involved in an accident and did not stop, you will face serious penalties and consequences.
Call 911. Calling 911 is the best and quickest way to alert the police and emergency medical teams to your accident. This gives police the chance to investigate the crash and file a police report. It also provides emergency medical teams a chance to treat injured accident victims.
Seek medical help. Even if you do not believe that you are injured, it is important to seek medical help. A doctor or emergency medical professional should evaluate you for signs of injury.
Exchange contact information. It is critical to collect information about the other driver and any eyewitnesses to help your case. Gather evidence at the accident scene. If you are uninjured and able, it is important to gather as much evidence as you can. This evidence can help your attorney build your case quickly and may go a long way when establishing liability. At the accident scene, be sure to: Contact your insurance company to report the accident. In most cases, you must notify your insurance company of your accident. This is often a condition of your policy. Notify your insurance company and give them the facts of the accident. However, avoid talking to the “at-fault” driver’s insurance company. Follow treatment plan. Insurance adjusters will look for any reason to reduce your claim. One of the ways they do this is by insisting that you are not as injured as you claim to be. The best way to collect maximum compensation for your injuries is to follow the treatment plan precisely. Otherwise, the insurance company could say you must not be in much pain if you did not attend your follow-up appointments or fill all your medications promptly. Document recovery. It is important to document your accident and your recovery while it is fresh in your mind. As you go through recovery, keep a journal and note any times you are in pain or any time your injuries prevented you from living your life fully. This can help your attorney establish the amount of compensation you need for pain and suffering, as well as other non-economic damages. Keep receipts. When your attorney seeks compensation for economic damages, they must show evidence of your losses. To do this, they must have a good idea of how much money was spent on your recovery. Call an experienced Memphis car accident lawyer. Taking all of these steps is difficult after a serious injury accident. It is best to focus your energy and your efforts on your recovery. Why not let an experienced Memphis car accident lawyer gather the evidence, file the paperwork, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
This means gathering:
Some of the ways you can document your recovery include:
You can help your case by keeping copies of:
What Not to Do After a Memphis Car Accident
It is equally important to know what NOT to do after an accident. Mistakes can directly harm your case and make it difficult to collect the compensation you need. Knowing what not to do is one way you can help protect your rights to full and complete compensation.
- Do not leave the scene
- Do not move your vehicle if someone is hurt
- Do not admit fault
- Do not say you are not injured
- Do not refuse medical treatment
- Do not miss medical appointments
- Do not get your car repaired too quickly
- Do not give a recorded statement
- Do not post about your injuries or accident on social media
- Do not sign a settlement without speaking to an experienced attorney
Get Help
It is difficult to know what to do and what not to do after an accident. It is even harder to juggle the responsibilities of gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies while you are also trying to recover. Insurance adjusters know this. That is why they often tell injured accident victims not to get help. They don’t want you to hire an attorney because they know it won’t be in their best interest.
Hiring an attorney and getting help is the best thing you can do for yourself after an accident. You deserve to have someone fighting for you every step along the way.
Case Results
See More Case ResultsContact Our Memphis Car Accident Attorneys
If you got hurt in a car accident, you need a personal injury lawyer in Memphis on your side from the very beginning. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we are ready 24 hours a day to help injured accident victims throughout Memphis.
Our Memphis car accident lawyers are easily accessible from the moment you need us. Contact Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Injury Lawyers today. Fill out a free contact request form, which only takes a minute, or simply dial (901) 888-8888 and tell us your story.