Car accidents are one of the primary causes of personal injuries and often lead to disputes regarding who is liable for those injuries. It might seem obvious when the accident initially occurs, but the matter becomes murky very quickly if the driver who likely caused the accident lies and tries to blame you. Most insurers rely on police reports to determine fault in accidents, but those reports often include incorrect information and outright lies. The potential for a negligent driver lying about the causes of an accident is even greater if your injury requires an ambulance ride to an emergency room. Head over to Sheen Group to find out more about smash repairs.
While you are receiving medical treatment, the negligent driver who caused the accident might blame you. The incentive to lie rises when you or anyone else is injured and being treated at a local emergency room – and you aren’t there to challenge the lie. Despite a goal to reduce their numbers, fatal accidents and injuries are rising in Florida. Let’s take a look at what you can do to help hold a negligent driver liable for causing an accident and your injuries.
Retain Legal Help
You always should obtain professional legal help whenever you are injured in an accident in Florida or any other state. Experienced Sebastian car accident lawyers can help you hold negligent drivers and other parties liable and file strongly supported insurance claims to be compensated for your injuries and any property damage that the accident caused. Retaining an attorney sends a notice to insurers and the negligent driver that you have experienced legal help and are determined to uphold your rights. Many insurers offer intentionally substandard settlement amounts after injury accidents in hopes of having the claimant accept less than the insurer otherwise might have to pay. An attorney can help to prevent that from happening to you.
Treat Your Injuries
If you went to the emergency room immediately following the injury accident, you already obtained initial medical treatment for your injuries. An emergency room visit documents your apparent injuries and helps to directly attribute them to the car accident. You should continue attending medical appointments and obtain physical therapy as needed to continue documenting your condition.
The cost of car accident injuries can be very high, and the other driver might try to avoid liability for those costs and any potential moving violations. You also might have latent injuries that were not apparent during the emergency room visit but become obvious after a short time and need to document them. Whiplash and head injuries are examples of latent injuries commonly caused by auto accidents that often reveal themselves several hours or several days after an accident.
Gather Evidence and the Police Report
Your attorney can help you gather evidence, depose witnesses, and file a court case if needed to help you build the strongest possible case for damages. The evidence that you might gather could include photographs of your damaged vehicle and your personal injuries, including swelling and bruising. You might even have a receipt from a gas station or another location that shows when and where you were immediately prior to the accident. Something as simple as a gas station receipt might become a pivotal piece of evidence if the negligent driver says you were coming from a different direction when the accident happened. Catching the other driver in a lie would help establish your credibility and could be enough to win your case.
