If you have a car accident injury near Columbus, Ohio, life can get complicated very quickly. You will need to deal with insurance companies, the police, medical treatment, and, quite possibly, car accident injury lawyers in Columbus. In order to help you make sense of the chaos following a Columbus car accident injury, and to help you recover the accident compensation to which you are entitled, we have assembled the following information to help you understand what you should do after a Columbus car accident so that you will have the best chance to smoothly resolve the situation, recover compensation, pay your medical bills, and get back to your normal life as quickly as possible.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene and Document Your Injuries
The first thing you will want to do, if you are able, is to document the scene of the car accident and any injuries you sustain. Since everyone carries a camera in their pocket via their smartphone, it is much easier to provide a comprehensive photographic record of a Columbus, Ohio car accident today than it has been in the past. Take photos of the vehicles, the damage, the scene itself, details such as skid marks, and your own injuries if you are able.
Report the Columbus, Ohio Car Accident to Your Insurance Company
As car accident attorneys in Columbus, Ohio, we will always advise against speaking to the other driver’s insurance company and even giving a detailed statement to your own beyond what is in the police report. However, you do need to report the car accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance company is legally obligated to help you cover damages and other expenses associated with the accident, and failing to report the accident can make it difficult to get your claim paid.
Seek Medical Treatment for Your Car Accident Injuries in Columbus, Ohio as Soon as Possible
Even if you are not certain that your injuries from the car accident are serious, it is vital that you seek medical attention as soon as you can following your Columbus, Ohio car accident. The reason for this is twofold: first, some injuries sustained in a car accident may not show symptoms for several days, including head and spine injuries, but they can be detected by a medical professional, potentially saving you complications and additional pain. Second, delaying medical treatment can give an insurance company a reason to suggest that your injuries were not sustained in the accident itself. There is no need to try to “tough it out,” as a compelling medical record that ties your injuries directly to the accident will be very beneficial to you and your car accident lawyer in Columbus, OH – not to mention potentially beneficial to you in your recovery from those injuries.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Columbus Ohio Right Away
Following the Columbus, OH car accident, you will need to provide a statement to the police as to how the accident occurred. You should provide a similar statement to your insurance company when you report the accident. During these conversations, you should not go into any details about who you believe may be at fault. Do not apologize, as this will be on the permanent record and could be used to suggest that you accepted partial fault for the accident. Simply report the accident as it occurred, and do not provide any other details or statements until you have consulted an experienced car accident lawyer in Columbus, Ohio.
Your car accident lawyer will consider the facts of your case, your car accident injuries, and any evidence on hand in order to build the strongest possible case and advise you as to the best path forward. You may be contacted by an insurance company and offered a settlement. This can be very tempting, especially if you are dealing with injuries resulting from a Columbus, Ohio car accident, but we urge you to not take this settlement. It is generally a rock-bottom offer, and often does not adequately cover the expenses associated with the accident and your injuries.
Consult with an Ohio Car Accident Injury Attorney About Seeking Accident Injury Compensation
If you have been injured in a Columbus, Ohio car accident, contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers today, and let us help you recover the compensation to which you are entitled. If you attempt to communicate with insurance adjusters on your own, it is very easy to make a statement that inadvertently harms your case, potentially costing you substantially in your settlement and potentially lengthening the time of your recovery to due unavailable funds for medical expenses. Let an experienced car accident injury lawyer in Columbus, OH handle the hard work for you, so that you can focus on recovery.