Making a Personal Injury Compensation Claim: What to Do Following a Motor Vehicle Accident
Whenever you are using the road, whether as a car driver, motorcyclist, pedal cyclist, passenger or pedestrian, you can never rule out the possibility of getting involved in a road accident and sustaining injuries. If you feel that the other party is responsible for the accident, then you should get every single penny you deserve to compensate for your injuries. A motor vehicle accident lawyer will make a personal injury compensation claim against the insurance company of the individual at fault, be it the driver of the vehicle you were travelling in or another third party driver. It is, however, noteworthy to keep in mind that what you do immediately after the accident will have a huge impact on your case.
Here is what you need to do to help your case when making a compensation claim for personal injuries suffered as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
Have the police come to the scene of the accident immediately.
In many cases, the other party will not be ready to accept any responsibility for the accident until their insurance company can send their representatives. Therefore, it would be wise for you to call the road traffic police so that they can provide an official record of the incident. Later on, when you can, you should visit the police station and ask for a copy of the police report, which you can then use to validate your claims.
Gather and keep all information pertaining to the accident scene.
As you wait for the police to arrive at the scene of the incident, you should write down every important detail that may help you build a strong case. These details may include names, addresses and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the incident. You could also take photographs of the car and the accident scene, if possible.
Seek medical attention and keep all documentation relating to treatment.
Never underestimate the extent of your injuries, no matter how minor they seem. See a doctor immediately after you leave the accident scene and let them do a thorough physical examination, depending on the nature of the injuries suffered. Make sure you keep records of X-rays and other medical examinations and tests carried out, including all receipts indicating payment for services rendered. You can later on make a claim for money spent to treat injuries caused by the accident.
Account for lost earnings.
If you have lost income or wages due to the injuries suffered, you should also get a letter from your employer proving your lost work days and indicating how much earnings you would have lost.
For more information and assistance in moving forward with your case, talk with professional lawyers, like those at CLP Legal.
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