Auto, truck and motorcycle accidents

Automobile accidents result in thousands of catastrophic injuries and deaths each year in the United States. The insurance companies would like you to believe that you do not need a personal injury lawyer to settle your claim in an attempt to avoid or limit paying you money damages for your personal injury claim. The Harvey Law Firm will thoroughly investigate and aggressively pursue your claim to seek full and just compensation for your injuries and property loss.

Every car accident victim should seek medical attention if you have been injured, not only to address obvious physical injuries, such as broken bones, cuts and bruising, you must also consider mental changes, decreases in your ability to handle tasks that used to be routine or other changes in your behavior, such as mental confusion or agitation.  A car accident injury claim for damages resulting from injuries usually depends on medical records linking the car accident to the injuries received. An experienced car accident lawyer handling your car accident injury claim can be of enormous value in getting you the compensation you deserve.

Car accident victim injuries can include whiplash; head and brain injury; damages to joints, bones, muscles and various other soft tissue injuries; and others.  Physical injuries can be costly and rob you of time spent with your family and friends, the ability to earn a living at work and much more.  Among the types of damages an injured person may recover for are lost earning capacity, reasonable medical expenses, permanent impairment, compensation for lost property, and pain and suffering.  These damages can include both present and future expected losses.  A car accident lawsuit can quickly become complicated when you are dealing with liability insurance, health insurance, applicable state and federal laws and the emotional impact all of this has on your life.

SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROTECTION

1. Take Care of Yourself
   
   

   Call an ambulance, if necessary, and the police. If you are unable to call, ask somebody else to call the police to report the accident and inform the police of the number of people who are injured, so that enough emergency personnel respond to the scene.

   If emergency care is unnecessary, consult a physician as soon as possible.  You may experience a time lag between the collision and full awareness of the extent of your injuries. Certain injuries may not be apparent until sometime after an accident.  By not seeing a doctor, you risk delaying your treatment and aggravating your injury.  Even minor soreness can be an indication of a more significant injury. Therefore, if you believe there is any chance you may have been injured, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

   An insurance company may argue that the failure of an individual to see a doctor right away indicates that an injury must have resulted from an unrelated event after the accident. The longer you wait for medical treatment, the more difficult it will be to connect the injuries to the accident. Be sure to report any memory loss, headaches, blood or fluid in your ear, dizziness, ringing in your ears, disorientation, nausea, or confusion.

2. Identify the Negligent Party
   
   

   You and the other driver should exchange information, including the other driver's name, address, phone number, drivers license number, license plate number, insurance carrier, policy number, and agent's name and telephone number. You should also provide the same information to the other driver.

3. Identify Witnesses
   
   

   Get the names, phone numbers and addresses of anyone who saw what occurred.  Obtain identifying information from any witnesses to the accident, and ask the police officer who investigates the scene to provide you with a business card and the "incident number," so that you can obtain an accident report.

4. Take Photographs
   
   

   Either you or someone else should attempt to take at least 10 to 30 pictures of every angle and distance of the place of the occurrence of your injuries, and of the vehicles, if it is an automobile accident.

5. Report the Accident
   
   

   Advise all the proper agencies of the occurrence. This may include your own insurance company, filing a police report and the company/person who owns or controls the site where the injury took place. 

   Cooperate fully with the police when they arrive, and stay at the accident scene until the police tell you that you can leave. When you speak to the police, tell them only the facts of what happened, and do not draw any conclusions. Do not admit responsibility for the accident to the other drivers, passengers, witnesses or the police. Responsibility or liability is a legal matter that is not always easy to determine. Inform the police of any injuries and witnesses.  Even if you think you are at fault, do not say so. The other driver may share the fault or other factors may have caused the accident. An admission of fault may be used against you later on.  Do call your agent as soon as a covered event takes place.

   Obtain legal advice before filling out insurance documents, giving recorded statements to any insurance company, or meeting with any insurance company representative. It is especially important to consult an attorney before giving a statement to the other driver's insurance company. Do not sign any check or document from any insurance company without first consulting an experienced personal injury attorney.

   Take and keep detailed notes of all conversations with insurance company representatives, and get names, phone numbers, and job titles of people you speak with, including their supervisor's name.

   Consider whether you might have insurance coverage under some other insurance policy as well. Many people have more than one policy that might cover a claim. In particular, look at homeowner policies, "umbrella" policies, and materials that came with your credit cards.

6. Write Everything Down
   
   

   Start a diary.  Write down how the injuries and accident occurred.  Take notes about where and how the accident occurred, road conditions, speed limits, traffic control devices, weather, lighting, and what the cars were doing at the time of the collision.   Note statements made immediately after the incident by the negligent parties.  Detail your symptoms and changes immediately subsequent to the accident and in your daily activities.   

   Identify any unusual changes in yourself. This may include all pains and aches, changes in behavior, memory loss, changes in sensory perceptions, etc. Ask family members or friends if they have noticed any changes in your behavior.

   Document all of your losses, including medical bills, reasonable transportation costs related to the injuries, future medical treatment, lost wages, future loss of earnings, the effect on your family, and the effect on your life. An experienced attorney can help you identify all losses that may be related to your accident.

   Record all important information, license numbers, and the year, make and color of all vehicles involved, and the details of the accident, including date, time, location, road conditions, traffic controls, and weather conditions. If you have not yet contacted an attorney, you should talk to a lawyer that has the experience, dedication and ability to maximize your compensation and minimize the frustration, delay and confusion that you may experience when you make an injury claim.

7. Follow Your Health Care Providers’ advice
   
   

   Be diligent in keeping your appointments with your health care providers and follow their medical advice.

   A skilled personal injury law firm can navigate the car accident universe. A skilled lawyer's experience dealing with many different types of accidents and insurance companies on a regular basis enables her to know what pitfalls may arise in your case and how best to defend you against them.  Securing the representation of an attorney can speed up the claims process, and studies have shown that, on average, most people who settle their personal injury claim with the help of an attorney receive larger settlements, and are better compensated for their injuries, even after fees for services have been deducted from the settlement amount.  The Harvey Law Firm will fight for you against the insurance company, provide you with excellent customer service and keep you informed every step of the way.  Please contact the Harvey Law Firm for a free consultation.

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