Getting hurt in a car accident can have a major impact on your life. A qualified auto accident attorney can help you build a strong claim to receive compensation for your losses.

They know all relevant laws and how they apply to your case. They also have experience handling insurance companies, interpreting the jargon and clauses in policies. Contact Auto Accident Attorney Duluth now!

Car accidents are not pleasant experiences, and even fender benders can cause serious injuries. If you are hurt in a crash, seek medical attention immediately. This step is important not only to ensure that you don’t have any underlying injuries, but it can also support any claims for damages that you might make later.

After a car accident, you may feel a rush of adrenaline that masks the pain and other symptoms of injury. This is especially true for small crashes, like a fender bender or minor collision. Take the time to evaluate yourself for injuries, and ask any passengers to do the same.

A medical professional can determine whether your injuries are serious and prescribe treatment to help you heal. The doctor will also document the extent of your injuries in a medical report, which you can use to support any claim for compensation.

While most people see their primary care physician first, car accident victims are often referred to specialist doctors such as chiropractors or physical therapists for treatment. This is because these types of doctors are better equipped to diagnose and treat accident-related injuries. Additionally, they can also handle insurance companies’ claims.

Regardless of the severity of your injury, be sure to keep track of any symptoms that occur after the accident, including the name of the doctor and the date and time of your appointment. Then, you can provide this information to the doctor if needed in your insurance claim or lawsuit.

It is not safe to leave young children, non-ambulatory elders or incapacitated individuals alone in a car after an accident. Even if you only have a minor collision, call fire and rescue or an ambulance to check on anyone who is left in the vehicle.

Collect information

The more information you can gather after a car accident, the better your attorney will be able to help you get an insurance settlement that covers all of your damages. This includes medical records, property damage estimates, job and earnings loss information, witness statements and more. A lawyer who has handled many auto accident cases will have experience obtaining this type of evidence and will know how to handle the insurance companies.

When you are on the scene of an accident, make sure that 911 is called and that any injured people are taken to the hospital. If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information. Also, take pictures of all of the vehicles involved in the accident, including close ups of the damage. Take photos of the surrounding area, too, such as street signs and road angles.

If the accident was serious enough that police responded to the scene, they will prepare a report. This report will contain information that is important for your claim, such as witness statements and the officer’s opinion about who was at fault for the crash. You should try to obtain a copy of this report.

You should also be sure to keep copies of all of your medical records and bills related to the accident. These will be very helpful if your injuries turn out to be more serious than originally thought or if any new medical issues arise later on. You should also keep a journal of your daily activities, such as the pain and discomfort you feel.

You should also read your automobile insurance policy before the accident occurs so that you understand what your coverage includes. You can also ask your insurance agent for clarification about any aspects of your policy that you don’t understand.

File a claim

Before filing any claim, a car accident attorney will help you determine how much your accident has cost you. This will include your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident. It will also include your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life. If your injury has caused a reduced future earning potential, this should be included in the claim as well.

The insurance company will likely make a settlement offer after evaluating your medical records and assessing the crash site. This initial offer may be lower than you are entitled to, and you should never accept it without consulting with your lawyer first.

If you accept the insurance company’s offer, you cannot go back later to ask for more money. The insurance company will try to use every trick in the book to devalue your claim, including disputing your injuries, finding social media posts that show you doing activities and having fun, and questioning the validity of your emotional distress. They will also attempt to pressure you into giving recorded statements or signing record authorizations, and they may call your friends and family members and say that you aren’t as injured as you claim.

An experienced auto accident attorney will know how to counter these tactics and fight for a fair settlement. They will also be familiar with state statutes of limitations, which determine the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you wait too long, you will lose your right to sue.

Negotiate with the insurance company

When you are contacted by an insurance company, be very careful about what you say. Insurance adjusters are looking out for their employer’s bottom line and will try to diminish your claim. It’s best to limit interaction with insurance adjusters to a minimum and direct all communication to your attorney. It is also a good idea not to admit fault for the accident, as this could bar you from financial recovery. If the insurance adjuster requests a recorded statement, politely decline and state that you will submit a written statement instead.

After the crash, write down everything that you remember about what happened, including the driver’s name, address, phone number, insurance company and policy number. Take photos of the scene and the damage, if possible. It is important to keep in mind that you will be facing a lot of financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost income and property damage, due to the car accident. This is why it is crucial to seek a settlement that will be sufficient to cover your losses.

The insurance company will start off with a low offer, but your lawyer can help you come to a reasonable agreement. Our attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies and can protect you from the tricks they use to take advantage of accident victims. If you and the insurance company cannot reach a settlement, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This will give you the opportunity to prove your damages in front of a jury, who can award you compensation to pay for your losses. If you have sustained injuries and losses in a car accident, contact the car accident attorneys of Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman today to begin your road to recovery.

File a lawsuit

If you and your lawyer believe the insurance company has not offered you the full amount of compensation you need, it may be time to file a lawsuit. This is a serious step, and one that you should never take lightly. If you decide to sue, your attorney will be your champion in court and ensure that all of your legal rights are protected.

Your car accident lawyer will help you prepare a case that shows how the at-fault driver failed to meet the standard of care that a reasonable person would have used in similar circumstances, leading to your injuries and damages. They will review traffic laws, examine evidence, and work closely with accident reconstruction specialists to establish a strong case for your claim. They will also review policy limits, ensuring that you have enough coverage to pay for your damages and expenses.

During discovery, your attorney will ask the defendant and their insurers written questions, which they must answer under oath, and request physical or document evidence to support your claims. They will also schedule depositions, in which you or the other parties are questioned under oath and recorded. This is an essential part of the litigation process, as it provides a record of testimony to support your case.

Your attorney will help you determine the extent of your damages, including medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. They will also make sure that your lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations, preventing any procedural hurdles to pursuing your claim. They will also assess whether your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage could help you.