Not every injury from a car accident requires a lawyer. If you only needed one visit to an urgent care or a couple of quick trips to your family doctor, you may not need a lawyer at all.
It’s still a good idea, however, to get as much information as you can before you try to negotiate your personal injury claim.
At the Miller Law Group, we only believe in taking cases where we thing our client will do better with us than without us. Severe injuries nearly always require legal help.
However, with minor injuries we can tell you how to proceed on your own.
First, get as much information as you can at the scene. Don’t let the other driver leave without getting their name, address, driver’s license number, license plate state and number, and their automobile insurance information. Take photos, even if the damage is minor. Also get the names and contact information for anyone who says they were a witness. A good, independent eyewitness can make all the difference, no matter the size of the case.
Second, if you’re hurt, go ahead and get checked out. Even if it’s just a trip to an urgent care, you need to understand if you’re going to need some medical treatment. Many muscular injuries don’t really flare up until a day or two after the actual accident, so don’t jump on the first phone call from the insurance company offering you money.
Third, if you do see a doctor, follow their instructions and do what they suggest. If something isn’t work, whether it’s a medication or a type of stretching or exercise, TELL THE DOCTOR that. Don’t assume they’ll know it. Everyone is different, so you may react differently to their normally-prescribed treatments.
Fourth, get your records and billing information together and submit it to the insurance company yourself. Letting them get your information exposes too much of your personal data, so if you can gather it yourself, that’s the way to go. Remember, too, that you don’t have to take their first offer. You can negotiate back and forth until you come to a number you think you can accept.
The only downside to this course of action is that many attorneys don’t want to get involved in a case after a potential client has already started the negotiation process. So if you want to handle a case on your own, understand that it may be hard to get a lawyer involved after you start down this path.
If we can help you do better with us than without us, then we want to help. Contact us by clicking here or call us today at 919-348-4361 for a free consultation. If we can’t help, we’ll tell you so, and give you some information to get you started in the right direction. If we CAN help, then we’ll do all we can to help you get the recovery you deserve. We only get paid if we get you a recovery. We’re the Miller Law Group. We’ve got your back.
Getting Started with Property Damage After a Car Accident
