Every day, distracted drivers are texting behind the wheel or not carefully watching the road. In 2020 alone, there were 35,766 fatal motor vehicle crashes nationwide. These accidents, whether minor or more severe, can be painful and financially challenging to go through.
If you have been in an accident, you may be able to recover damages to assist you with medical bills and other expenses.
At Gerling Law, our skilled attorneys are ready to help you file your claim. If you have been in a car wreck, let us help you maximize the car accident settlement you may receive. By following the steps below, you will be well on your way to recovering compensation for a car accident.
Notify the Police
Typically, police officers will come out to investigate the area where the accident occurred. You should ensure that you notify the police so that they can file a report if they do not visit the accident scene. If they do arrive at where your car accident occurred, make sure that you keep a copy of the police report.
Contact Your Insurance
It is crucial that you call your insurance as soon as possible. You should do this no matter the level of fault on either side.
Be wary of going into detail about the accident without the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. You should, however, provide your insurance company with the basic information they will need. This can include:
- A short statement about the accident,
- Whether you have injuries, and
- Where the accident took place.
This may include other necessary information as well. After you have given any required information, though, it is important to reach out to a personal injury attorney.
Collect Evidence
Gathering evidence is a significant way to help yourself when you have suffered damage or injuries from a car accident.
Before you leave the area where you were in an accident, you should try to get the contact information of drivers and witnesses. This includes their insurance information, names on their driver’s licenses, license plate numbers, and phone numbers. It is best to ask for the name on their driver’s license so that you can ensure it is correct, especially when the other driver was at fault.
You should also take multiple photographs or short videos of:
- Your car and any damage to it,
- Any skid marks on the road,
- Your injuries if possible,
- Any debris from the vehicles, and
- The current weather at the time.
In addition, it is a good idea to write down the time that your accident occurred and the closest intersection. Finally, you should jot down your recollection of the accident and what took place while it is fresh. Otherwise, you might forget information that is crucial to success on your claim.
Following these steps can help ensure that your personal injury lawyer has the information they need to present a strong claim on your behalf. At Gerling Law, we can help you collect, examine, and use the evidence to help you get the best result possible.
Seek Medical Care
If you have injuries after a car wreck or even think you might, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. This is because minor injuries might not be evident to you immediately after a crash. The stress of a severe wreck can cause you to not feel the force of specific injuries until days or weeks later. You should also keep any medical records from your doctor, including any medical bills and instructions.
Avoid Making Public Statements
You should ensure that you do not make any posts on social media or other public statements about the accident. Such statements can be used against you and could lower your car accident compensation amount.
Also, avoid making any statements to insurance carriers when possible. You ought to have your lawyer contact insurance companies so that they can represent you in the best light. Otherwise, what you say may keep you from gaining the compensation you need for your injuries.
Follow the Statute of Limitations
Most car accident claims end in a settlement before going to trial. But if you decide to file a lawsuit, it is vital that you follow the time limit for bringing your claim. This deadline is called a statute of limitations and varies by state, depending on the type of incident that occurred.
In Kentucky, most personal injury lawsuits have a one-year time frame in which you can file suit. However, in the case of a car accident lawsuit, you will have two years to file your claim. In Illinois and Indiana, the statute of limitations is two years to file your claim as well.
We have experienced attorneys who can assist you if you choose to go forward with this option. It can be extremely challenging to succeed on your claim if you miss these time limits, so feel free to contact us with any questions. Our lawyers can help ensure that the statute of limitations is met for your claim in Kentucky, Illinois, or Indiana.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
An experienced personal injury attorney at Gerling Law can help you maximize the car accident compensation you can receive. You should be honest about what happened with your attorney, and they will fight to increase your settlement amount. They can investigate your case further and gather the necessary evidence to bring your claim forward. Without an attorney, you will likely receive a payout that is lower and you may have trouble recovering damages.
How Our Law Firm Can Help You
If you want to maximize the car accident compensation you receive for your injuries, contact our skilled attorneys. At Gerling Law, we have represented thousands of clients over our five-decade history. Not only do we provide high-quality services to our clients, but we give back to our community as well. In fact, the team at Gerling Law has served over 100 organizations in the community.
Consider calling us today for a free case review at 866-651-2195 or complete our contact form today to learn more about how we can assist you.
Gayle Gerling Pettinga
Born and raised in Evansville, Gayle is a respected, experienced lawyer and a valued community leader. She graduated near the top of her class at Indiana University’s prestigious Maurer School of Law. She’s practiced law with one of the largest firms in Indianapolis as well as one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. And that means she knows how big law firms and big companies think and how they operate – and she will put that knowledge to work for you.
Gayle has received numerous awards and honors including Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rated: AV®, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys in Indiana for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, and YWCA Evansville 100 Years, 100 Women Honoree, 2011.
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