WHAT SHOULD I DO IMMEDIATELY AFTER I’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?

Call the police and make sure an ambulance is sent as soon as possible. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is conscious and responsive. Stay at the scene even if the accident isn’t serious, the police should be called regardless and a police report should be filed. It is important when speaking to the police that you stick to the facts, do not speculate, and most importantly do not admit any fault. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can with your cell phone. Also, we suggest taking a picture of the other person’s license plate, their drivers license, and insurance information. The pictures should document any damage that is caused by both vehicles. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if injured, even if you do not feel any pain, you may be in a state of shock and could experience medical issues later on.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A PERSONAL INJURY CASE REGARDING A CAR ACCIDENT?

If you are experiencing pain, injury, or financial damages as a result of someone else’s negligence. You may have a personal injury case. If the other driver was at fault or failed to follow the legal rules of the road – our car accident attorneys may be able to prove that the other party is liable for those damages. For example, if you were rear-ended in a car accident, typically the other driver is responsible for that accident and the insurance company could be liable for any damages.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT THE FIRST FEW DAYS FOLLOWING A CAR ACCIDENT?

Within the first few days, you will receive communications from both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. You may be contacted by your health insurance company, doctors, and even attorneys. The other driver’s insurance company may request that you sign medical authorizations so they can retrieve your medical records. Before you speak to any of these people or sign any documents, it is important that you seek legal counsel.

HOW TO PAY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES WHILE MY CASE IS PENDING?

You may have a difficult time paying for your medical expenses, even if you have health insurance. Make sure to bill any treatment as you normally would through your healthcare provider. Additionally, you may have medical payment coverage under your car insurance plan. This could be used to cover your co-pays and other medical expenses that your health insurance company may not cover initially.

WHAT TYPE OF COMPENSATION SHOULD I EXPECT TO RECEIVE FOR MY CAR ACCIDENT CASE?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors. If we are successful in proving that the other party is liable for your injuries and damages, you could be compensated for medical bills and any other hospital costs, lost wages, costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, wrongful death, including loss of financial support and any other out of pocket expense that was related to your accident.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY CASE?

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the length of time you need to heal from your injuries will determine the length of your claim. We also have to factor in the willingness of the other party to settle as they make their initial offer. If unreasonable offers are made, your claim may proceed to trial, which will increase the length of your claim.

WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR REPRESENTING ME IN A CAR ACCIDENT CASE?

At Kats, Jamison & Associates all personal injury accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we will never charge you upfront for any cost and we will advance all costs and expenses. You will not have to reimburse our Firm for any costs unless we are successful. You will pay absolutely nothing for lawyers’ fees unless we win a monetary sum in your case.

What Do I Do If I’m Involved in a Car Accident And the Other Driver Leaves the Scene of the Accident?

Millions of car accidents take place every year, and they can be extremely frustrating and jarring experiences. There are situations where a car accident can change your entire life. So what do you do if you are in Philadelphia or one of the adjacent counties, i.e., Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery County, and you notice that the other driver has decided to leave the scene of the accident?

This is illegal, but it still takes place more often than you might think in the greater Philadelphia area, to include Montgomery and Bucks counties and many other counties throughout the United States. First and foremost, it is important to remain calm and make sure that every passenger in your car is safe. Once you have established this fact, it is then time to document everything that you can. Are there any injuries? Who was injured and how severe are the injuries?

The next step is simple: start trying to document as much information as possible. For example, try to remember the license plate of the car that drove away. You should also write down any relevant information while it is still fresh in your mind, such as the color, make, and model of the vehicle. Some cars may have more defining characteristics to note, such as tinted windows, bumper stickers, or custom rims. If you remember any other information that could help identify the driver, write it down or document it in some way as soon as possible.

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After this step, you should contact the authorities (whether it is Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia County, the best thing to do is dial 911 and explain the situation.) Police officers may still be able to locate the fleeing party. Although that is not a guarantee, any information that you provide the police will be extremely helpful in that regard. A police report will prove useful later when you consult with your car accident attorney and also when you are filing a claim. Remember that your insurance company requires a report from a proper authority within 30 days from the date of the accident in order for you to be able to collect for any injuries under the uninsured portion of your insurance policy. Your personal injury attorney will be able to advise you on all of the potential options to receive a payment as a result of your MVA. It’s important to remember to remain calm and cooperate with police.

Lastly, you should speak to all potential witnesses so that your side of the story can be verified. At this point, you should consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible to review your options.