Baltimore Car Accident Attorney handles the legal complexities of a car accident case. They ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They also assess the full extent of your damages and prevent insurance companies from lowballing or questioning your injuries.
First, they advise that you seek medical attention if you have been injured. They can also assist you in obtaining the necessary paperwork to file an injury claim.
Whether you have been in a minor fender bender or a severe crash, medical attention is always the first step. It is important for your physical health and to safeguard your legal rights. This is true in the case of both personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Car accidents are shocking, traumatic experiences for everyone involved. They may result in a variety of injuries, both visible and invisible. The adrenaline rush post-accident can mask the severity of some injuries, and symptoms may not appear until hours or even days after the incident. Despite this, it is always a good idea to see a doctor immediately after a collision, regardless of whether you feel the pain or not.
Not only does seeing a medical professional ensure that your injuries are properly documented and treated, but it will also help strengthen any legal claim you might file in the future. Documentation of injuries and medical treatment is key for a successful personal injury claim because it establishes that the accident was the cause of your injuries. It can also help you win damages for any losses that occurred as a result of the accident, such as lost wages or cost of care.
It is understandable that individuals might be tempted to skip the visit to the doctor and head straight home after being involved in a car accident. They may be tired after a long day of exchanging information, talking to the police, and possibly being helped out by tow truck drivers. However, doing so can be damaging to their legal claim, especially if they have undiagnosed injuries that worsen over time. A weakened legal case due to delayed medical attention can result in a less substantial financial settlement than they could have received.
Collect Evidence
A successful car accident case hinges on presenting sufficient evidence, which is why it’s important to be diligent about collecting this evidence from the outset. Several types of evidence can be used to support legal claims and insurance processes, including police reports, eyewitness statements, photographic and video evidence, and medical records.
The first thing you should do after a car crash is take clear, reliable pictures of the scene and your injuries. If you can’t take these photos immediately after the crash, ask a friend or family member to do so as soon as possible. This will help to preserve the evidence for your case.
Another piece of valuable car accident evidence is surveillance footage from nearby businesses. This type of footage can show if the other driver was speeding, passed a red light, or failed to yield on the road, helping to establish fault and liability.
If possible, your attorney will also collect video evidence from traffic cameras in the area. This will allow them to examine the footage frame by frame and determine who caused the collision. Because your attorney understands traffic laws in-depth, they can identify the exact moment that the other driver broke the rules of the road and demonstrate how it contributed to the accident.
Medical records can be extremely strong car accident evidence in your case, as they prove the injuries and damages sustained as a result of the incident. This evidence will help to counter any attempts by insurance companies or defendants to downplay your injuries or blame them on pre-existing conditions. It’s important to save all documentation related to your treatment, such as doctor’s notes, hospital invoices, and prescription receipts.
You should also collect evidence that proves any financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of the incident. This could include repair estimates or receipts for damaged property, as well as pay stubs or tax returns to demonstrate lost income. This will help to illustrate how the accident has negatively impacted your quality of life and finances, which can be a powerful argument in your claim for financial compensation.
Take Photos
Car accidents can be a chaotic time, and it can be easy to forget to take the necessary photos that could prove your claim. Taking multiple types of photographs, from close-ups to wide angles, is best. This will allow you to capture the most relevant and useful evidence.
Aside from documenting the damage caused to vehicles involved in the accident, it is also important to photograph the surrounding scene of the crash. This can include the location of each vehicle, damage to nearby structures such as buildings or signs, and skid marks left by either driver that may indicate how the accident occurred.
If you suffer injuries that prevent you from capturing photo evidence at the scene of the accident, ask a friend or family member to do so on your behalf as soon as possible. Ideally, you should do this immediately following the accident. This is because conditions at the scene of a collision can change quickly. Skid marks can fade, and certain details such as lighting and road conditions can have a major impact on how the accident happened.
When it comes to your physical injuries, it is especially important that you get photos of them as soon as they appear, and at regular intervals in the days after the accident. This will help to show the extent of your injuries and the impact they have had on your life. It will also be important to get photos of any visible injuries, such as bruises and abrasions.
One of the main reasons it is essential to collect as much evidence as possible after a car accident is that insurance companies rely heavily on it when determining fault and processing claims. Without sufficient evidence, your claim may be denied. Having photographic proof of the damages that you suffered and the accident’s cause can significantly improve your chances of receiving compensation. This is because it will demonstrate that you were a victim of the other driver’s reckless or negligent actions, and it will serve as an objective representation of what happened. Having these photos will also help to strengthen your argument in negotiations with an insurance adjuster.
Contact an Attorney
It is important to call an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident, especially if any injuries occurred. The sooner your attorney can begin investigating the facts of the case and speaking to eyewitnesses, the better. This can also help preserve any physical evidence, such as skid marks or other debris, that could disappear quickly. Your lawyer can also work to obtain any video surveillance footage from nearby businesses or homes, if applicable, and conduct other relevant investigations on your behalf.
Additionally, your car accident attorney can help you navigate any complex legal or medical issues that arise in your case. For example, if the insurance company is being difficult or you are worried about whether you will be able to afford ongoing treatment or future care, your attorney can provide you with the information and guidance you need.
An experienced car accident attorney will have dealt with all manner of insurance companies and have the knowledge and expertise to protect your interests. Additionally, your attorney will be able to negotiate with the insurance company and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you are not able to settle your claim with the insurance company, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf and go to trial if necessary. In the case of a trial, your attorney can utilize their litigation experience and expert witness skills to present your case before a judge and jury.
Lastly, an experienced car accident attorney will be able to handle the day-to-day aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries. This will include filing any paperwork or documents required for your case, dealing with the insurance company, and ensuring that you have access to all of the medical and financial records necessary to build a strong claim.
When choosing an attorney, take the time to interview several attorneys and ask for references from past clients. Also, pay attention to the way they interact with their staff and their office space; a well-organized and clean office is a good sign that your attorney and their team will be dedicated to your case.