Figuring out what comes next after a collision is difficult. Not only is the physical toll significant, but the emotional and financial stakes for you and your family can be difficult to comprehend. In an effort to simplify an admittedly complex situation, I want to provide you with some car crash next steps and priorities that should be your main focus after a serious collision occurs.
We are here for you and will be by your side even after there’s a resolution in your case. If you’re suffering from serious injuries due to the actions or neglect of a fellow driver, please don’t hesitate to contact us via phone at 864-235-4999 by tapping the button below or by filling out our request form for a free consultation.
For almost 20 years, I’ve represented clients who have suffered a variety of serious injuries in different types of collisions. Here are just some of the serious car wreck injuries I’ve helped clients through as a personal injury lawyer:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Fractures
- Ligament tears
- Spinal cord/neck injuries
- Injuries that require surgical procedures
- Other types of injuries that require hospitalization.
For the purposes of this post, I’ve split the steps you should take after a car accident between health priorities and legal steps.
Health Priorities after Car Crash
When it comes to car crash next steps, your first priority after a car crash is to get healthy. If you’re involved in a car wreck, you need to go see a doctor. A minor injury can become a serious injury if not properly treated from the beginning.
As difficult as it might be, focus on your health over cost. The medical costs you incur during this time could be recouped in mediation or court. Don’t skip any follow-up appointments. If the doctor recommends physical therapy, then make sure you go. Rest is also an important part of the healing process.
Keep a journal that documents your pain. Make sure you account for how these injuries have impacted your daily life – physically, financially, and emotionally. Keeping a pain journal can also help your case.
The journal can be a cathartic experience that will help you look back at everything you’ve endured and ultimately overcame during this harrowing time. Here are some of the best pain tracking apps for your phone.
Legal Steps After Collision
Once the process of healing has started, experienced legal counsel can help you handle the car crash next steps and make sense of the complexities involved in your case.
The Thomas Creech Law Offices is a contingency-fee based firm. Meaning we will give you an honest assessment of the viability of your case as we don’t collect any attorney’s fees until after the case is successfully resolved. Click the button below for a snapshot of my experience handling a variety of car crash cases.
When should I begin looking for an attorney?
Your rights are important. Retaining legal counsel soon after the wreck helps to protect your rights going forward. A car wreck case is usually not simple to handle. Almost all car wreck cases involve an assessment of all the damages, harms, and injuries that you have suffered, an analysis of the pain and suffering that you have experienced, an economic analysis of lost wages, and a myriad of insurance issues-both health insurance and auto insurance.
I would highly recommend that you hire legal counsel to represent you. If you’re too sick or injured to do so, you can have a close family member, such as a spouse, child, or sibling help you, with your permission and knowledge, reach out to an attorney’s office. However, only you, or your power of attorney, can hire a lawyer to represent you.
Who pays my bills?
Your bills should be submitted to your health insurance company to pay. The other driver’s car insurance does not pay your medical bills up front. Your medical bills will be considered as part of the entire settlement during the settlement negotiation process with the car insurance companies. Also, your health insurance company will usually be paid back or reimbursed for what it paid for accident-related treatment. Do not sign anything from the other driver’s insurance company or the insurance provider’s attorney before discussing it with your own attorney.
Car Crash Next Steps Wrap up
For other important information that will help maximize the value of your case, reach out to us today for a free confidential consultation and representation. Let us worry about your case, protect your rights, and do what we can to maximize the value of your case.
You can contact me by phone at 864-235-4999 or through our contact form below.
[contact-form-7 id=”3838″ title=”Contact Us”]