Posted on Wednesday, August 30th, 2017 at 4:02 pm
We want accident victims to receive a fair and just settlement for their car accident claim. The following tips can be helpful for anyone who is involved in a traffic accident.
Go to the Emergency Room from the Accident Scene
You need medical care after an accident, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it is best to be checked by a medical professional. Delaying medical care can be used against you later in your case by the insurance company for the other driver. The company may try to argue that your injury occurred after the accident since you did not request medical care at the accident scene.
Call the Police
A police report is an official statement that documents the accident occurred. Additionally, the accident report contains information that your attorney can use when investigating your accident. Do not let the other driver talk you out of calling the police — it is much harder to prove that the accident occurred without a police report if the other driver later denies he was involved.
Never Admit Fault
Even if you believe you are partially at fault for the accident, never admit fault or say you are sorry. You must be honest with the police officer when you tell him what occurred, but you do not need to state that the collision was your fault.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney Right Away
We provide free consultations for accident victims and their families. Therefore, you have no reason to try to handle the accident claim without legal counsel. The insurance adjuster does not represent you or your best interest. You need an attorney with experience handling accident claims to protect your rights and to explore your options for recovering full compensation for your claim.
Avoid Signing Documents or Providing Statements Until After You Meet with Your Attorney
Again, insurance adjusters are not working for you. They work for the insurance company. Their job is to settle claims quickly for as little money as possible. Therefore, the adjuster may encourage or push you to provide a statement to process your claim or sign a release so he can verify injuries to pay the medical bills. Do not fall for this tactic. Anything you say or information your release could damage your claim. You need to meet with our attorneys before providing a statement or signing any documents for the insurance adjuster.
You Are Under a Deadline
Your time to file a lawsuit is limited by California’s Statute of Limitations. If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to seek money for your damages from the other driver. In most cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit. However, some exceptions could reduce this deadline dramatically. For example, if a government entity is involved, you have months not years to file a notice of claim to protect your legal rights to seek compensation for injuries.
Speak to a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney for Free
The Sacramento car accident lawyers of the Tiemann Law Firm offer free legal consultations and no-obligation accident claim evaluations. Call our office at (916) 999-9000 or use the contact form on our website. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
