By 2036, we can expect to see some 2.8 billion vehicles on the planet. At some point, many of those vehicles will be involved in a traffic accident. With such staggering numbers, it’s important to be armed with facts about what to do after you get in a car accident. Should you call an attorney immediately? What are the procedures to go through to obtain compensation? What will become of a car if it’s a total loss? How will I find the perfect car following the auto accident? The following tips provide information about what to do after you get in a car accident.
Assess the Damage to Your Vehicle
What to do after you get in a car accident? If you have been involved in a traffic accident, and the damage to your vehicle is great, your car may be deemed totaled, or a total loss. This implies that your car is not worth the damage it incurred. Will you need dent removal services? Just a new coat of paint with a professional finish? As is the case with some states, the moment that your car was in a crash, the car is deemed no longer roadworthy, and you can’t drive it before it is repaired. If you find this is the case, calling your insurance company is the next step to ensure repairs are done as soon as possible. Should the vehicle be a total loss, however, what usually happens, depending on how severe the damage, is that the car will be delivered to a body shop. Should the repairs prove too costly, the car will eventually end up in the insurance company’s salvage yard. The conclusion as to whether your vehicle is a complete loss or not can vary in different states. This determination also varies with insurance companies. Mostly, if the damage exceeds the car’s value, it will be deemed a loss, and not be repaired. If your car sustained minor damage, not all is lost. If you have collision coverage, it would cover the cost of your car windows if they were damaged in a collision with another car, or inanimate object. Comprehensive insurance coverage would cover this cost if your windows were broken as the result of vandalism or a natural disaster. The presence of car dashboard cameras, or dashcams, can be a great benefit if your car is broken into, or if you are in a crash. The camera is mounted onto the dashboard of your car and records all activity as you drive. These cameras are helpful should you need documentation of accidents or vandalism later down the road. Dashcams can also be useful when it comes to filing an insurance claim. Some insurers will offer discounts to those who utilize them. They can also provide savings, as some insurance companies offer discounts on car insurance premiums to customers who have a dashcam installed.
Seek Out Proper Medical Treatment
Should you have pain or injury following a serious accident, seeking treatment for auto accident injuries immediately afterward is what to do after you get into a car accident. Auto accident injuries treatment is what to do after you get in a car accident. This will help secure your rights to compensation. What to do after you get in a car accident is to see a doctor up to at least 72 hours following an incident. Insurance companies consider 72 hours to be an acceptable time-frame on which to seek medical attention. If you wait longer than allotted 72 hours, you run the risk of a reduction in the compensation you could be entitled to receive. Should you receive a serious or potentially life-threatening injury, you should go to the emergency room quickly for treatment. Beware of any confusing feelings you have directly following the accident. On the surface, you may look and feel fine, but have sustained a serious injury that needs medical attention at once. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you can still file a claim with the insurance company for damages. Should you carry collision insurance, file a claim with your insurance provider. The provider will pay for the repair costs, as well as medical treatment. Should you have severe facial injuries, a medical aesthetic specialist can provide treatment to scars and other contusions. Those who suffer extreme facial injuries can experience pain and may need additional medical treatment, which includes reconstructive procedures, which are performed by plastic surgeons. Should you need to receive facial reconstructive surgery as the result of a traffic accident, you may still be left with scars affecting your well-being, confidence, and overall quality of life. This is the point where you can receive compensation for the pain and suffering incurred by an accident that was not your fault.
Purchase a New Car
When purchasing a new car following an accident, you should enter new car dealerships with a list of features that are important for you to have on your vehicle. It’s all part of what to do after you get in a car accident. You need to come to terms with what your priorities are when it comes to the purchase of a new car. Do you want good gas mileage, a lot of space, or do you prioritize form over function? Purchasing a new car after such a traumatic event can leave you vulnerable and susceptible to sleek and modern as opposed to steady reliability. Ensure that you get what you really need, not what you think you want. Any car you purchase should have functional air conditioning and heating capabilities, as well as other necessities to be sure of the best and safest driving experience. Be sure to stick to your budget, and not be enticed by all the modern features on a fully-loaded automobile. Researching what car you’re interested in before going to the new car dealership is a top priority. Settling for half measures, or more than what you’re interested in will make you regretful of your choice later. A call to your bank to find out what your financing options are is also a good start. It’s wise not to be lulled into financing options from the new car dealerships that might prove to be too costly in the future. A new car loses its value as soon as it is driven off the lot, which is something to consider. Should you opt not to buy a new vehicle, a good used one might do just as well. A certified pre-owned vehicle might be the best route to take. CPO vehicles are inspected according to manufacturer standards, complete with quality air conditioning. They come with extended warranties and are usually priced right to fit any budget. There are pros and cons to buying both a new or used car. Weigh these pros and cons and see what is best for your particular situation.
Determine if You Want to Sue
An automobile accident brings conjures up many questions, such as who is at fault, and who will cover the cost of the damages. Also of importance is how will medical bills be taken care of, and what should the compensation be. Also, will insurance cover the wages that were lost due to being off of work for an extended period of time as a result of the accident? A personal injury attorney can help you sort out these issues, and be able to negotiate what is right for your personal case. They can help you navigate through the often confusing restrictions put up by insurance companies. Hiring an attorney can ensure the best settlement for your personal injury accident. Car accidents can place unwanted and unneeded burdens upon you, such as severe injuries, costly medical and vehicle expenses, as well as stress and a diminished quality of life. Many accident victims wonder if the other driver should be sued so they can receive much-needed compensation for extreme loss. Your unique set of circumstances is a factor. These include the state in which you reside, insurance policy, and exactly what lead up to the accident. Your insurance company can provide you with what steps you should take and tell you what to do after you get in a car accident. Insurance companies typically secure lawyers, as well as adjusters who go to work evaluating your claim immediately. It’s important to retain a personal injury attorney following your accident. You can sue to receive compensation. The proof of the other party’s negligence if of high importance when it comes to receiving valuable compensation. You can sue for injuries from an auto accident within six months of the crash. Attorneys calculate compensation by multiplying damages, which includes medical bills, by a certain number. Should you receive your compensation, it will help tremendously with putting your life back on track. Hiring a personal injury attorney should be high on your list following the trauma induced by a car accident.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney
If you are injured in a vehicle accident, you should consult a car accident attorney. If you do, you will ensure that you receive sound advice on how to proceed with a claim. An auto accident attorney will need to be secured in order to get you the compensation entitled to you. On average, a car accident settlement may be at least $20,000. It is likely to be in the ballpark between $14,000 and $28,000. Typically, the settlement will be higher for permanent or severe injuries. A larger payout will be given if the driver of the other vehicle was under the influence. A car accident attorney will usually charge a contingency fee to take on a case involving injuries. The auto accident attorney or the law firm will receive a percentage of funds received from a car insurance settlement or jury verdict, should the case go to trial. Car accident cases, however, are typically resolved through negotiations between the party that was injured and the insurance company. A very small amount of auto accident cases go to trial because these claims can be resolved without ever filing a lawsuit. Typical payouts for pain and suffering are less than $15,000, simply because most involve rather small injuries. The greater the injury, the larger the payout when it comes to pain and suffering. Settlement values can go into the millions for neck and back injuries. For less severe injuries regarding these areas of the body, settlements are much smaller, in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. A trusted car accident attorney can tell exactly what to do after you get in a car accident.
Protect Your New Vehicle
You may be slightly shell-shocked after you purchase a new vehicle in the aftermath of a car accident. What to do after you get in a car accident is to ensure that your car and you are protected. The first part of that is to make sure your car is running smoothly. Check your owner’s manual to see if you require any specialty lubricants for your new wheels. Establish a good relationship with your car dealer to make sure all of your routine maintenance is taken care of. Double-check your warranty! In addition, you’ll want to protect your car as an asset. A quality residential garage door can help protect your car when you are not in it. Should you install an electric garage door opener properly, a lock will not be needed. Electric openers act as a lock for the door which prevents intruders from being able to lift the door from the outside of the garage. Further options for security include side-hinged steel garage doors. Steel doors provide optimum protection to your car to ensure no one will break into your garage and steal, not just your car, but any valuables you may have placed in your garage. Motion-activated lighting turns on automatically should someone approach your driveway, and provides added security should an intruder walk onto your property. Steel doors are by far the most popular choice for a residential garage door, as they are durable, low-cost, and offer a variety of insulation options and come in an array of colors. A surveillance camera is another option for added protection and safety. Any security camera that is visible from the outside is a deterrent for most intruders, as they see the camera and realize they are being monitored. Any activity outside your home can be viewed from your smartphone or tablet. When it comes to protection, staying vigilant and being proactive are the best safeguards for your private property.
A car accident can be a life-changing event, but there are ways you can protect yourself to ensure the greatest possible outcome. You don’t have to go it alone, when expert help in the form of a trusted auto accident attorney, as well a valued medical aesthetic specialist, and other outlets are available to help you know what to do after you get in a car accident.
