What Should I Do to Maximize My Car Accident Settlement?

When you’re involved in a car accident, you’re left scrambling for answers. You may not even yet know who’s to blame. However, what you do in the aftermath of a crash can determine whether or not you’re able to recover compensation. If you’re planning on pursuing a personal injury claim, it is crucial to take action immediately and find out how to protect your case.

Working with an experienced personal injury team can streamline this process and help you make the most of your case. Call Nowell Law Firm at 864-707-1785 to start your car accident case in Spartanburg.

Steps to Take Immediately After an Accident

There’s a substantial amount of evidence that is only available right away after a crash. If you don’t take advantage of this opportunity, you won’t get it again. Assuming you are not gravely injured and rushed to the hospital, spend a few minutes taking pictures of the crash scene. You may also find it helpful to take video footage. Try to take photos from different angles and distances so you catch important contextual information, such as road conditions, weather, and proof of location.

It’s also important to call the police to report the accident. There are times when the other party tries to talk you out of involving the police and insurance company. However, a police report is an essential part of a strong car accident claim. The information they include and the citations they write can help your attorney determine liability.

After you’ve spoken to the police and the other party, make it a priority to seek medical care. Prompt medical care ties your injuries to the accident, making it hard for the other party to deny liability. Furthermore, your health often depends on prompt identification and treatment of your injuries.

Collecting Necessary Evidence

Throughout this entire process, the evidence you gather will be the backbone of your case. Make sure that you make copies of all of the photos and videos you take at the accident scene—you may want to save a copy in cloud storage and on a physical drive to be safe. If you have any damaged personal belongings, preserve them to use as evidence.

You may also want to keep a personal injury journal. Your injury may disrupt your life in ways you never imagined, and documenting those changes can help you get the compensation you’re owed. For example, you may want to track your pain levels every day, activities you needed help with, time you spent away from work, and doctors’ appointments you attended.

If you have any time-sensitive evidence, take immediate steps to preserve it. This may include dashcam footage and surveillance camera footage. In both cases, data is often overwritten on a regular basis to make room for new footage. You’ll want to request copies immediately to avoid accidental deletion.

Did any eyewitnesses stop to offer help during your accident? Get in contact with them as soon as possible after the crash. Ideally, you’ll also have your attorney connect with them fairly early—memories fade quickly, and you want their statement before they start losing important details.

Working With an Attorney

Perhaps the best thing you can do to preserve your car accident claim is to talk to an attorney. A lawyer knows exactly what makes a solid car accident case and what insurance companies need to see before they will offer fair compensation. They also take over all communication with the insurance company, which protects you from having to discuss your case with the adjuster.

Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations for car accident victims. This makes it easy for you to find a lawyer who has the experience you’re looking for and makes you feel comfortable. You want an attorney whom you can open up to and discuss the details of your case. Consider asking for proof of their previous successes and their approach to car accident claims.

Explore Your Options with Nowell Law Firm

Are you ready to move forward with your car accident case? The team at Nowell Law Firm is here to help you. Schedule a consultation right away by connecting with us online or calling us at 864-707-1785.