If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s only natural to be confused about what comes next and what you should do next – to help protect yourself and your recovery. The shock that you experience can cloud your judgment, and you may be inclined to take a wait-and-see approach. This, however, is very unlikely to be in your best interest. Fortunately, there are five basic steps that apply across all car accident claims that can help you help yourself. One of the most important moves you can make at this juncture is seeking legal guidance from an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney.
One: Make an Appointment with Your Doctor
If the car accident that left you injured did not end with you going to the emergency room or immediately seeking medical attention, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor. The facts of the matter are that the minor aches and pains you may be experiencing could be indicative of something far more serious, and the sooner your injuries are diagnosed, the better your chance of reaching a full recovery. Further, some very serious injuries, including some soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries, can be slow to present with recognizable symptoms, and the shock you experience in the aftermath of an accident can serve as a smokescreen that further masks symptoms. The impact of even a relatively minor car accident can do serious harm, so if you’ve been involved in a car accident, begin your journey forward by seeking the medical attention you need.
Two: Follow Through with Your Doctor’s Instructions
You sought medical attention after the car accident that left you injured, but the next piece in the puzzle is following through with the instructions and advice provided to you by your doctor and/or medical team. If you’ve been instructed to attend physical and/or occupational therapy, for example, it’s important to make the appointments and to show up for them. Once you have your care plan in place, following through with it in its entirety is not only the best thing to do for your health and recovery but is also the best way to send a strong message to the insurance company handling your claim that you take your accident-related injuries as seriously as you expect them to. The insurance company will be looking for what it considers to be gaps in your treatment – in an effort to discredit your claim – and you can avoid this outcome by carefully following your doctor’s instructions and advice.
Three: Consult with a Dedicated Car Accident Attorney
The fact is that car accident claims are complicated, and there are a variety of legal limitations that apply. All told, you are far better off with a seasoned car accident attorney on your side. The insurance company handling your claim is in the business of turning immense profits, and you’re in a vulnerable position that leaves you less capable of successfully advocating for your rights and rightful compensation. Your car accident attorney has both the legal skill and the focused drive to handle the insurance company – and to build your strongest claim – while you tend to the important job of your physical and emotional recovery.
Four: Understand Your Legal Damages
The losses you experience as a result of the other driver’s negligence are referred to as your damages. In order to obtain just compensation that allows you to restore your health and well-being to the degree possible, you need a full assessment of these damages (in addition to property damage to your vehicle).
Your Medical Costs
The medical expenses you experience as a result of a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence can be overwhelming – and ongoing. Consider the following:
- Emergency care and transport
- Surgery and follow-up care
- Hospital stays
- Medical treatments, tests, procedures, and other forms of care
- Appointments with doctors, specialists, and other medical professionals
- Pain management
- Occupational and/or physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Adaptive physical devices
Your Lost Earnings
You have been injured, and this is very likely to mean that you will experience a decrease in wages while you focus on your recovery. If your injuries are serious, you could also be facing a decrease in your earning potential.
Your Pain and Suffering
The emotional consequences of being injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence can be immense and can prove to be one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome.
Five: Allow Your Attorney to Deal with the Insurance Company on Your Behalf
You’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, and this means that you will be hearing from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This does not mean, however, that you are required to provide the insurance rep with a statement about the accident, and it is in your best interest not to do so. The insurance rep who gets in touch with you is skilled at obtaining statements that ultimately damage claimants’ own cases. There is a strong emotional component involved, and the insurance company is well prepared to twist this to its own advantage. Leave the statement to your car accident attorney. Another excellent idea is refraining from posting on social media about your accident – or staying off social media altogether if possible – until your claim has settled (or been finalized at court).
It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced South Carolina Car Accident Attorney
If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident, you are facing a difficult path forward toward recovery, but the formidable car accident attorneys at McCravy Law have the experience, compassion, and keen legal insight to help. We dedicate our impressive practice to fighting for the rights of clients like you, so please do not put off contacting or calling us at 864-388-9100 for more information today.
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