Being involved in a traffic accident can be an emotional and unsettling experience. Oftentimes, many accident victims are confused about what to do or how to pursue damages for their injuries. However, the next steps you take after the incident can significantly affect the outcome of your injury claim. An experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney can evaluate your unique situation and enlighten you about what to do after an accident.
At Grossman Green PLLC, we are committed to providing comprehensive legal guidance and compassionate representation to accident victims in their personal injury claims. As your legal counsel, we can review every aspect of your personal situation, conduct an in-depth investigation, and explore your possible legal options to recover damages. Our dedicated team will fight vigorously on your side and help pursue rightful compensation for your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering.
Grossman Green PLLC is proud to represent clients in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as surrounding communities throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Call us today to get the help you need.
Steps to Take After an Accident
The period immediately after an accident can be quite frightening and confusing to sort through. Regardless, what you do – or fail to do – can make a huge difference in your personal injury claims. Here are the important steps to take following your involvement in an accident:
Stay Calm: When involved in an accident, remain calm and never let your emotions take charge.
Perform a Safety Check: Make sure the other passengers and drivers involved in the accident are safe and out of harm's way. Get yourself to safety and help others if you can.
Get Immediate Medical Care: Call 911 to seek proper medical help for injuries to yourself or other accident victims.
Sometimes, symptoms don't appear for days or even weeks. Prioritize your heath and when begin feeling symptoms, immediately report to a medical provider for an evaluation. To substantiate your claim, medical reports are a critical component of explaining your injuries to insurance companies.
Report to Law Enforcement: By law, any person involved in an accident that results in fatal or non-fatal personal injury or property damage must immediately notify a law enforcement officer.
Exchange Relevant Information: The operator or owner of a vehicle involved in an accident must give any other person involved in the accident the registration number of the vehicle, names and addresses of the owner, the occupants, and the operator of his or her vehicle, as well as their license number, insurance policy, and insurance information for the vehicle.
Documentation: Obtain copies of all required documentation, such as the other driver's information, police report, accident scene pictures, and witness statements and testimonies. Also, you should document your medical reports, medical expenses, doctor’s appointments, personal account of the incident, and how your injuries have affected your day-to-day activities.
Notify Insurance: Inform your insurance carrier about your involvement in an accident. Some insurance companies need to be informed within a few days after the incident occurred. We do not recommend providing a recorded statement until you've hired a lawyer.
Hire an Attorney: Retain an experienced personal injury attorney to help file your insurance claims or negotiate a fair settlement with the provider.
Potential Pitfalls
Many different mistakes can affect the amount of financial compensation you may be able to get with your personal injury claims. Here are the potential pitfalls to avoid when pursuing your insurance claims:
Uninsured Driver: Even if the driver who hit you does not have insurance, you may be able to pursue an uninsured motorist claim against your own insurance company. This is a type of coverage nearly all individuals in Kentucky pay for, so you should take advantage if in such a situation.
Consider All Costs: Before accepting a settlement offer, consult with your legal counsel. Your attorney can review all your accident-related expenses, including missed time at work and vehicle damages.
Make Sure Medical Costs are Final: Some of your injuries may still need ongoing treatment to reach full recovery. Thus, make sure the medical expenses are final before you accept the settlement offer from the insurance provider. It is also important to understand whether your health insurance company may be entitled to part of your settlement for medical expenses paid on your behalf.
Statute of Limitations: You should contact a lawyer to discuss the statute of limitations in Kentucky. Claims made under the Motor Vehicle Reparations Act must generally be made within two (2) years of the date of the wreck (or last PIP payment), but aspects of a motor vehicle wreck claim could have a shorter statute of limitations of one (1) year. It's important that you contact a lawyer immediatly to discuss all potential claims and the deadlines for filing such claims.
Don't Accept the First Settlement Offer: The insurer's first settlement offer is often not their final offer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you to negotiate a fair settlement or take additional legal action where applicable.
Getting Help from Experienced Kentucky Personal Injury Attorneys
Being in any type of accident can be devastating, and it can affect your mental, physical, and financial well-being. However, you don't have to face the financial liability and challenges all on your own. Therefore, it is important that you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help protect your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
At Grossman Green PLLC, our attorneys have the experience and resources to assist, support, and represent clients in their personal injury cases. Using their comprehensive understanding of the laws addressing liability in personal injury cases, our attorneys can help guide you through the often complex legal process. Don't leave your fate in the hands of insurance providers who won't protect your best interest. Let our dedicated team fight on your behalf and help to recover fair financial compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, future medical treatment, and any additional pain and suffering.
Call Grossman Green PLLC today to schedule a simple case assessment with skilled personal injury attorneys. Our team can offer you the detailed legal guidance, support, and compassionate representation you need in your injury claims. We proudly represent clients in Louisville, as well as surrounding communities throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
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