Being in a car accident is disruptive and overwhelming enough for anybody. However, if you suspect that the accident was at least partly your fault, your stress levels will likely go through the roof. If you are injured, and your personal property has been damaged, you may be fearful that this may void any chances of receiving compensation from the other party or their insurance.
This is a complicated situation, and to understand more about your rights to sue or receive compensation, go to hm-attorneys.com/car-accidents/. Here are some important steps you must take to preserve your rights and not jeopardize your case.
Avoid Admitting Fault
No matter what thoughts are going through your head after the accident, keep them to yourself. The only person you can share them with is your personal injury attorney. Never engage in conversation with the other driver; whatever you say can later be used to say you admitted responsibility.
When the police arrive at the scene, be truthful and to the point with all your answers. However, you may request to speak with them privately. You may say what you think about the accident but never pointedly say you were at fault. Answer questions regarding the facts and give the police time to arrive at their own conclusions, spelled out in the police report.
Steps to take after a car accident
Do not tell them about your suspicions when you report the accident to your insurance. Stick to the facts and do not speculate. Let the facts speak for themselves. The last thing you want is to accept responsibility for a collision that you did not cause.
Contact a knowledgeable and aggressive attorney, tell them your story and let them start doing their research into the accident.
When More Than One Party Is At Fault For The Accident
By definition, accidents never happen in an orderly way, and there can be more than one party that is somehow at fault. It may have been an accident in which there were more than two vehicles, and it may not be so easy to point the finger at only one party who might be at fault.
If this is the case, a judge or the insurer will assign each party a percentage of the responsibility during the personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim process. This does not immediately cancel any possibility that you will receive compensation for the accident. As long as your percentage of fault is less than 50 percent, you may continue pursuing compensation.
However, the final amount you receive will likely be less than what you could have received if you were found not to carry any percentage of the responsibility. And depending on the number of parties who were involved in the accident, you may find yourself seeking compensation from one or more of them.
You Have a Right to Receive Compensation After a Car Accident
If this is your first time dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, you may be unsure as to exactly what type of compensation you might be entitled to receive. Your personal injury attorney can help you put together a strong case after conducting a thorough investigation into the accident. They may also help you calculate the value of your case. To do so, these items will be added:
Economic Damages
These damages are easy to quantify and refer to all your medical expenses, which may include doctor’s appointments, therapies, treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and more. To them, your lawyer will add the wages you have lost by being unable to go back to work while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries prevent you from working in the future, a calculation will be made to cover that amount.
Economic damages also include the damage to your vehicle and the cost to repair it, and temporary transportation arrangements while your car is being fixed. Also, any other personal property you might have lost because of the accident.
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