3 Things You Should Do Following an Car Accident
By Ben Sessions
Jan. 16, 2017 8:35a
3 Things You Should Do Following an Car Accident
1. Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured at the scene of an accident do not hesitate to go directly to the hospital. However, some injuries that result from car accidents are often not immediately apparent. If you are in pain in the days following the accident do not hesitate to go the local emergency room or your family physician. Injuries from car accidents can cause serious long term health problems if they go untreated. Even minor accidents can cause long term back, neck and head pain because of the impact. It is better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to your health.
2. Notify Your Insured Company
Immediately inform your insurance company you have been in an accident. Often, prompt notification is a condition of your insurance policy. Be sure to cooperate fully with your insurer and tell them the truth about the incident and the extent of your injuries. As you already know, some injuries may take longer to manifest, so if your condition changes following your conversation with your insurer notify them that you are seeking medical treatment for your injuries. Be sure to explain the facts clearly to give them the best picture of the incident. Insurance companies taking lying about automobile accidents very seriously, and may even deny you coverage if they find out you were untruthful. Also, be sure to obtain a full police report so you can clearly show who broke what traffic laws and who is presumed to be at fault.
3. Keep a Diary
Keeping a diary is one of the best ways to ensure that you can recover from a claim you file to for your injuries. Start keeping track of your medical treatments and pain immediately following the incident. You should keep track of any doctors, physical therapists chiropractors, or other medical professionals that you receive treatment from. Include the dates, bills, and any specific notes you can remember about the visit. It is also important to request copies of all medical reports and bills from the medical providers you visit. By having a detailed depiction of all your medical expenses helps immensely when you are trying to prove your medical expenses to the insurance companies.
Pain and suffering is more difficult to prove than medical expenses. It is critical that you keep a diary of how you are feeling on a day to day basis. Record any pain or suffering and how it affects your daily life. Also, be sure to include how the incident impacted your life, whether it is missed work, or any other routine activity that you may no longer be able to participate in, and describe how the incident affects your family life.
If you would like more tips from a qualified Atlanta car accident attorney, contact The Sessions Law Firm at (470) 225-7710.