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There are several critical steps you should follow after a car accident in Philadelphia. If you are feeling stuck or if the insurance company refuses to budge, you should seek legal assistance right away. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to win a fair settlement for your damages.
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing to do is assess the injuries of all parties involved and seek prompt medical attention. Even if you think you are okay, it could just be the adrenaline or shock. You must get help from medical professionals to ensure that you are well and to treat any injuries you may have sustained.
Do not delay getting medical attention. Even minor injuries can become worse when they’re not properly treated.
Never use language like “I am okay” or “nothing hurts.” Do not downplay the situation, even if the car accident is minor. This can hurt your case later.
Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
It is important to document the scene and gather as much evidence as possible. If you are injured, a passenger in your car can help. If you are alone, call 911, and the police will take down the information of the parties involved, file an official report, and assist in collecting evidence.
When it comes to evidence, it is best to over-collect rather than under-collect. Take pictures, video, and information from any witnesses, and see if you can get any CCTV or traffic camera footage of the scene. Collecting evidence may seem like a hassle, but it is essential for your claim.
While you rest and recover from your accident, an experienced car accident attorney can assist you in building a strong case.
Call Your Insurance Company
You will need to report your accident to your insurance company in a timely fashion. This is a tricky step because how you phrase what happened can negatively impact your case. Do not assume your insurance company is automatically on your side.
Avoid saying things like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Language like this makes you sound guilty, and it may make the insurance company more likely to deny you a fair settlement.
Call a Lawyer for Help
Do not fight this on your own. While it is possible to file a claim and negotiate compensation by yourself, doing so can be challenging. Insurance companies are businesses, and they love to offer lowball settlements, shift blame, and offer the bare minimum in compensation because their concern is protecting their bottom line – not the interests of their customers.
Insurance companies have vast legal resources that can make it difficult for car accident victims to fight for the compensation they deserve. Getting in touch with a lawyer can make all the difference.
Avoid Posting on Social Media
Avoid posting anything on social media about the accident. It is easy to take to social media to vent after your accident or to post pictures of your accident to share with others. For the sake of your case, it is best not to do this.
Even innocent people can be made to look guilty when their social media posts are twisted by the opposing party.
PhillyLaw Knows Car Accidents
PhillyLaw has experienced and dedicated lawyers who will help you fight for your case. We have decades of experience handling cases for car accident and personal injury victims. Our attorneys will guide you through each of the steps, help you calculate your settlement value, and represent your best interests at all times.
All of our attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that if you do not get a settlement, we charge nothing for our services.
Let a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Help You
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is difficult, especially when you are injured. Our priority is to ensure your recovery process goes smoothly instead of dividing your attention between your health and winning your case. Let us handle all of your legal affairs and ensure that you do not get taken advantage of by the insurance company.
The attorneys at PhillyLaw do not take a cookie-cutter approach to handling cases. Instead, we take the time to listen and understand your specific needs. Do not let the insurance company force you to settle for less. Schedule a free consultation today at no risk to you.
