Following a car accident, you’ll likely wonder how to handle the situation. It’s important to understand that even minor injuries can have serious consequences. If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Alabama, it’s crucial to understand the steps to take in the immediate aftermath of an accident and in the following days to safeguard your legal rights. Please continue reading and contact a dedicated Birmingham Car Accident Lawyer who can help you fight for the funds you deserve.
What Should I Do in the Following Days of a Collision?
Although taking the appropriate actions at the accident scene is crucial to protect your legal right to compensation, it’s just as important to know what to do in the following days of a car accident to ensure your well-being and the viability of your claim.
While some car accident injuries, such as lacerations and broken bones, are usually immediately evident, others, like soft tissue and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), may take days or weeks to feel the full extent. Therefore, even if you believe you haven’t suffered any injuries, you must visit a medical professional as soon as possible to ensure you receive the necessary treatment to mitigate further damage. You should continue with recommended medical treatments, medications, and rehabilitation until you are released from their care.
In addition to ensuring your health, visiting a doctor following an accident will help establish that your injuries are directly related to the crash. One of the many ways insurance companies will try to minimize your compensation is by arguing that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim. If you delay medical treatment, it could hinder your ability to recover the compensation you deserve for past and future medical expenses and lost wages if your injuries render you incapable of working.
Should I Speak to an Insurance Adjuster?
Moreover, it’s essential to understand that Alabama is a strict contributory negligence state. Essentially, in every collision, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault for the cause of the accident. Under contributory negligence laws, if you are even 1% at fault for the cause of an accident, you will face the absolute bar of recovery. Essentially, this legal doctrine can prevent you from recovering anything if you were in any way at fault for the accident. As such, it’s crucial to avoid admitting fault. Refrain from saying “I’m sorry,” as it can be used against you as it implies that you hold some blame for the collision.
Insurance companies will use various tactics to avoid paying claims. As such, you should enlist the help of an experienced Birmingham Car Accident Lawyer who can speak to representatives on your behalf to ensure you don’t fall for one of their tricks. At Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC, we are prepared to help you get justice. Contact our firm today to learn more about what we can do for you.
