If you were injured in a car accident in Columbus, OH, you might be dealing with expensive medical bills, lost wages, significant pain and suffering, and other losses because of someone else’s negligence. You have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver to cover these losses.
To successfully recover compensation, you will need to be able to show the other driver was at fault and that your injuries are due to the accident. The stronger your evidence, the better the possible outcome of your case. Here are three steps to maximizing compensation after a Columbus car accident.
Document the Accident Scene
You must document the scene after a car accident. Even if you promptly hire a car accident lawyer to help you, the accident scene will quickly be cleaned up so that it does not pose a hazard to other motorists or impede traffic. If you do not document details at the scene of the accident shortly after the crash occurs, vehicle information may be lost forever.
- You or someone you are with can take pictures of the following:
- The damage to all vehicles involved in the accident
- Skid marks on the road
- Cross streets
- Signs and traffic signals
- Road and weather conditions
- Wide shots and close-ups of the accident scene
In some cases, accident reconstruction experts may be able to use the images or videos you take with your cell phone and other available evidence to reconstruct how the accident likely happened. This can help show the other driver was at fault.
If any witnesses stopped, ask for their names and contact information.
Also, note any nearby surveillance or traffic cameras that may have captured the accident.
Ensure you get the other vehicle's year, make and model. This information can help your lawyer determine if the vehicle may have recorded information such as the other driver’s speed, braking patterns and location during the collision.
If you have a dashcam, preserve the footage.
Seek Medical Attention
It’s critical to seek immediate medical attention after a car accident. If emergency responders are called to the accident scene, accept their offer to take you to the nearest emergency room.
Even if you initially feel fine, you may have suffered injuries you were unaware of. It is common for the body to experience a surge of adrenaline after a stressful event like a car accident. This can mask your pain and other symptoms. You could also be experiencing shock, which can delay the symptoms' onset.
You can combat the insurance company’s claims that you were not seriously injured by seeking prompt medical attention. The less time between the accident and the time you seek medical attention, the less room there is to argue that your injuries were due to some other cause.
Keep all of your medical bills and medical records. This can help establish the link between the accident and your injuries and the grounds for your compensation claim. Follow your doctor’s orders, including all restrictions related to work and recreational activities.
While you may be worried about treatment costs, you may have options to pay for these. Additionally, a car accident settlement may provide reimbursement for these costs. While you are tending to your physical injuries, also monitor yourself for anxiety or depression, as trauma after a car accident is common.
Work With an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Working with an experienced car accident lawyer is vital to maximizing your compensation. The insurance company will be trying to do everything it can to eliminate or minimize your payout. A lawyer can look out for your best interests.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help prove the other driver was at fault and the full extent of your damages. They can identify, gather, and preserve critical evidence in your case. They can also handle communications with the insurance company so you do not say or do anything that might harm your claim.
Experienced car accident lawyers have a better sense of the long-term effects of car accidents and are seasoned negotiators. Most car accident lawyers offer free consultations for new clients.
They also usually work on a contingency fee basis, where they don’t get paid unless and until they recover compensation for you. So, there’s no risk in you contacting a lawyer to learn more about how they can help.
Jonathan Mani is the founder of Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers, dedicated to advocating for injured victims in Columbus and throughout Ohio, with a proven track record of success. Contact us for a free consultation today.
