If you have sustained injuries due to an accident, protecting your rights and seeking compensation is most likely the last thing you’re considering. But this becomes imperative given the astronomical costs of medical care and vehicle repairs/replacement. Floridians are no strangers to road incidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 4,944 personal injury claims in Myrtle Beach as of 2021. This represents 1.7% of all personal injury claims across the state. Of these claims, 43.2% were related to collisions with other vehicles and 22.6% were related to single-vehicle accidents. The majority (77%) of all claims stemmed from rear-end collisions.
Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers could help you find legal restitution if you or a loved one was involved in an accident. You will need financial relief to help with the medical expenses and possible property loss you experienced from this accident. You should know some steps to protect your rights and receive maximum compensation for this devastating life event.
Call 911
Anytime an accident occurs with property damage and bodily injuries, you should call 911 for emergency medical assistance. These calls typically involve law enforcement officers responding to the scene as well. However, if they do not, make sure a call is made to them for a response. If you want your legal rights protected, the police must be present to provide an official report of the incident. This report will be needed when you seek compensation. This report will be a piece of the evidence required for your personal injury claim.
Do Not Admit Fault
You will want a personal injury attorney to help you seek compensation for your injuries. Do not admit any fault at the scene; you should speak to your attorney before making any statement. Emotions can be high after an accident, and it can be difficult to keep your thoughts straight, so it is imperative to let your attorney make statements to protect your rights.
Gather Information and Evidence
If your injuries are not life-threatening, and you can communicate with others at the scene, gather information on the other party or parties involved in the accident. Ask for all involved names and contact information and provide them with yours as well. You will also want to collect or gather as much evidence as possible, as the insurance company will require it when you file a claim. Evidence should include photographs of the area. Take the pictures from as many angles as possible.
Receive Medical Attention
Medical attention may be offered and given at the accident scene, and if you are injured seriously, you may be taken to the hospital. Once released from the hospital, you should also receive medical attention from your general doctor. Receiving medical attention as soon as possible is critical as there may be injuries you are unaware of.
Receiving timely medical attention will protect your rights against the insurance companies who may argue their severity if you wait to see a doctor. Keep a record of all medical treatments received. The insurance company will require these records if you file a personal injury claim.
Trust Your Personal Injury Attorney
After suffering an injury in an accident, consulting with a personal injury attorney is important. A personal injury attorney can provide legal advice about your rights and represent you in any court proceedings or negotiations with insurers and other parties involved in the incident. An attorney can also help ensure you receive fair compensation for any losses resulting from the accident. Only speak with the other party’s insurance company if your attorney advises. An insurance company’s main purpose is to make money, and they typically fight paying victims. They will try their best to get you to admit things that can be used against you.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After a car accident, contacting your insurance company as soon as possible is essential. Doing so can ensure that you can start the claims process on time and provide them with all of the necessary information they need to process your claim. It is also essential to keep all communications related to the accident on record with your insurance company in case any concerns or disputes arise. Answer their questions and do not lie or misrepresent facts. Doing so can turn the outcome of a case against you. The insurance company may request a police report related to the incident.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you have rights. The best way to protect those rights and receive maximum compensation for your injuries is to work with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney will help you get compensation for medical bills and possible pain and suffering. The pain of your injuries is hard enough to live with, don’t live with expenses from injuries you sustained through someone else’s negligence.