Being involved in a Kentucky car accident is a traumatic and potentially life-changing experience, so it’s natural for victims to feel upset, confused, and unsure of what to do next. However, what you do after the accident is extremely important, as it will affect the outcome of your injuries, protect your legal rights, and potentially determine the compensation for any damages incurred.
Serious car accidents can cause serious injuries. The human body has some amazing methods, however, for coping with trauma which can make you feel like you are barely hurt at all. You may not even be aware of the full extent of your injuries for days, or even weeks, after the accident. The downside is that the longer you wait to seek medical attention, the harder it will be for you to take your injuries seriously. It will also make it harder for the parties responsible for the accident, and their insurance companies, to take your injuries seriously. This can lead to real problems when the medical bills start piling up or, worse, if it’s determined you are likely to experience long-term pain or disability because of the accident.
The decisions you make right after an accident, and in the days following, have a huge impact on your personal injury claim. It’s natural to feel shocked and thrown off course immediately after a car crash, as well as being inconvenienced by the ordeal. The last thing many people want to do is sit in a hospital waiting room, do paperwork, and make a bunch of phone calls, especially if they don’t believe they are injured. However, any vehicle accident can cause problems, and if symptoms or complications do not manifest until later, you may be tempted to put off taking steps to build a case. If too much time passes before you take action, you may lose the opportunity to gather valuable evidence, and the insurance company may deny your claim.
Steps to Take After a Vehicle Accident
To avoid problems and having your claim minimized or denied, there are things you should and should not do in the days after being in a vehicle accident. Here are some steps to take that can optimize your recovery and the chances of receiving the compensation you deserve:
- Make sure you are safe and check for injuries: If you are in a spot where you or your vehicle can be hit again and create more damage, you should move the vehicle to the side of the road, if possible, and get out of the way of further harm. Check yourself, passengers, and others involved in the accident for injuries. If anyone is injured, call for an ambulance.
- Call the police: Call 911 and have the police come to the scene to document the accident and create an official report. The police may ticket the at-fault diver, and the report contains information which can be crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings
- Gather information and evidence, and document everything. If you are in condition to do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and other relevant situations such as broken traffic signals or signs. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident, including names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy numbers. Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention: Get medical attention, even if you don’t feel injured immediately after the accident. Some injuries — such as internal injuries or whiplash, which causes soft tissue damage and leads to swelling, pain, and reduced mobility — may not manifest symptoms right away, and they may continue to get worse over time. Tell the doctor you were in an accident, and make sure you get appropriate tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CAT scans, and that the results are documented.
- Notify your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and initiate the claims process. Be honest and provide accurate information when filing your claim.
- Obtain a police report: The police report provides valuable documentation and evidence that can be instrumental in resolving insurance claims and legal disputes. You can obtain a car accident report by contacting the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident.
- Get legal assistance: It is a good idea to speak to a lawyer before you say or do anything that could damage your case. Many car accident attorneys offer free consultations to assess your individual situation and provide guidance.
Mistakes to Avoid
There are certain things that you should not do after a car accident in Kentucky. Mistakes to avoid include:
- Discussing the accident or admitting fault: Do not discuss the accident with other drivers, apologize, accept responsibility, or admit fault for the accident. This could be misconstrued as an admission of liability and used against you.
- Talking to the opposition’s insurance companies or lawyers. Insurance companies and their attorneys often will attempt to get you to say or do something that indicates fault and can be used against you. You are not required to give a statement, even if asked for one — tell the insurance company to speak to your lawyer, and let your attorney handle all correspondence.
- Neglecting medical care. See your doctor, even if you do not think you are badly injured; follow the doctor’s instructions; make sure the doctor documents everything; and go to all treatments and therapy sessions.
- Ignoring Legal Rights: Don’t waive your legal rights or sign any documents without understanding their implications. Consult with a lawyer before making any significant decisions.
Get Help After a Car Accident
After getting a handle on your injuries, it’s time to focus on the claim itself. If you or a family member has been in a car wreck, there is help available from the experienced Kentucky car accident attorneys at the Johnson Law Firm. Attorney Billy Johnson can help guide you on what to do after a crash, determine responsibility and the extent of damages, establish your claim, and handle all legal requirements, court filings, investigations, and negotiations involved with recovering the financial compensation you deserve.
Do not delay, as Kentucky has a statute of limitations, a deadline to file auto accident claims (KRS § 304.39-230) that generally allows no more than two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit, or the courts are likely to dismiss your case.
The Johnson Law Firm offers prospective clients an initial case evaluation for free, so call us today to get started.
GET HELP NOW 606-437-4488
Attorney Billy Johnson
William “Billy” Johnson grew up in the Dorton area of Pike County, Kentucky, and early on decided to stay in the beautiful Appalachian mountains. Like many others in Eastern Kentucky, Billy’s dad worked as a coal miner, a hard job but one that taught his son how to meet challenges head on and persevere. Attorney Billy Johnson has years of experience helping injured clients with claims such as car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful deaths, work injuries, and more. [ Attorney Bio ]
