If you want to protect your rights after a car accident, there are certain things you need to do. Regardless of how minor the accident was, it’s important that you follow these three basic steps:
- First, you need to make sure you call 911 immediately after the crash
- Second, you must go to the hospital to be checked out by a doctor
- Finally, you should call and speak with a Charlotte car wreck lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident.
If you do these three things, there’s a much better chance that you’ll receive compensation for your injuries. However, many crash victims make mistakes in the days after a car accident that cost them the opportunity to pursue damages. The best way to avoid this from happening is to meet with an injury attorney in Charlotte within days of your car wreck.
Here, we will discuss each of these steps in detail. We will also explain why it’s so important that you follow these steps after a car accident. If you still have questions about your case, feel free to contact our office directly. We will be more than willing to schedule your free, initial consultation by phone or through our website.
Always Make Sure You Call 911 Immediately After a Car Accident
For some reason, a lot of our clients tell us that they didn’t call the police after a car accident. Some of them say they didn’t feel like waiting around for the cops to come to the scene. Others tell us that the crash was so minor it didn’t make sense to call the cops. Some of our clients even tell us that the other driver asked them not to call the cops and they agreed. None of these reasons are good enough to justify not calling the cops after a car accident.
When you contact 911, the dispatcher will send an officer to the scene immediately. The officer will do a thorough investigation of the crash and speak to both drivers involved. They’ll put all their findings in their final police report. The police report contains valuable information that your Charlotte car wreck lawyer will not have access to any other way. Some of this information includes:
- Contact information for both drivers including registration, license, and insurance information
- The name and contact information for any eyewitnesses
- Statements made by either driver or any of the witnesses to the crash
- Description of the road conditions and accident scene
- Notation as to whether either driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident
If this information isn’t obtained at the crash scene, there will be no way for your injury attorney in Charlotte to track this information down later. Without this information, and without the police report, it will be very difficult to prove that the other driver was at fault.
Go to the Hospital Even if You Think You’re Fine
Another crucial mistake you can make after a car accident is refusing to go to the hospital for treatment. Even if you think you’re fine after the crash, you need to see a licensed physician. When you get to the emergency room, the doctor will perform the necessary tests to determine if you sustained any serious injuries. Some of these tests include:
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI
- Neurological examination
- Physical examination
Once these tests are completed, you’ll have a better idea if you sustained any injuries. You may have sustained injuries that aren’t visible, including internal bleeding, organ damage, or a traumatic brain injury. If left untreated, these injuries can be very dangerous and can even prove fatal.
The only way your Charlotte car wreck lawyer will be able to prove that you were injured is to submit a copy of your medical records. If you wait too long to go to the hospital after a car accident, the defendant’s attorney is going to argue that something other than your crash caused your injuries. If the judge believes this, you may not receive any compensation at all.
Contact a Charlotte Car Wreck Lawyer as Soon as Possible After a Car Accident
As mentioned earlier, the third thing you need to do to protect your rights after a car accident is to speak with an injury attorney in Charlotte. One of the great things about hiring an attorney early is that they can handle your initial insurance claim. If the claim is denied, they can also file an appeal on your behalf. If for some reason they are not able to get your claim paid, they will have no problem initiating a lawsuit against the defendant.
Do Not Post About Your Accident on Social Media
One of the most important things to remember after a car accident is that you cannot post about your crash on social media. Everything you post, including comments, pictures, or videos, can serve as evidence against you. The other driver and their attorney will periodically check your social media accounts to see if they see anything that can help them in their case.
As much as you’re used to posting about your daily life online, it’s critically important that you not talk about your accident. If possible, stay off social media altogether until your case settles. If you’re not able to do this, just make sure you don’t post about your crash and do not reply to comments about your accident.
Contact a Charlotte Car Wreck Lawyer Right Away
If you or your loved one have been injured in a car accident, you should contact a Charlotte car wreck lawyer right away. When you call our office, we will schedule your free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to sit down with an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases and find out what your case might be worth.
When you come in for your first meeting with one of our associates after a car accident, make sure you bring any information related to the case. This includes your police report, a copy of your medical records, and any correspondence you received from the insurance company or the defendant’s attorney. Your injury attorney in Charlotte will need this information to prepare your case.
Since your initial consultation is free, we recommend that you call as soon as possible after a car accident. The other driver will have a team of lawyers working for them and you should too.
