What NOT to do if you’ve been in a car accident

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What NOT to do if you’ve been in a car accident

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Car Accidents are unfortunate and extremely emotional events. Sometimes when they happen, we say or do the wrong things that can hurt us in the long run. In this blog post, our goal is to help anyone recently in an accident avoid the mistakes that could hurt you in the long run.

First and foremost, the first thing you will want to do is call 911, no matter how minor you think the accident is. Memories tend to change and people change their mind as time moves on.

Now, to review what NOT to do if you’ve been in a car accident:

The most important thing is to not leave the scene of the accident. Regardless of if you’re in a rush or have something planned… you must stay.

It is critical to wait for the police so that they can make a report of the car accident. Not only because the Police are professionals and can look at what happened objectively, but this will be the most accurate accounting of the car accident. This will be because the memory is freshest with you and the physical evidence of the crash will still be present.

If for some reason you cannot stay (which is not recommended), immediately take photos of the accident scene. Safely take photos from as many angles as possible. The reality is that as we replay these scenarios in our minds, our memories change slightly. These photographs will serve as clear evidence.

While waiting for the police to arrive at the scene, make sure you look for any potential witnesses to the accident. If it is possible to do safely, gather as much contact information as possible from any witnesses. Witness testimony could be a vital piece of the puzzle if you need to make a claim and it goes to court.

While doing this, be sure to gather the contact information of the other driver as well. Although it may be hard, try to keep your emotions under control. If there is anything said that could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt, it could work against you. In addition to the other driver’s contact information, be sure to also take down their insurance information. You can use the camera on your phone to gather this.

If the other drive should become confrontational, do your best to keep some distance and do not give in to their advances. If they choose to not give you their information, be sure to not be the first to leave the scene.

Finally, the last thing to NOT do is report the accident to your insurance company from the scene of the accident. At that point if the accident just happened, you may not be feeling pain because of your adrenaline. It’s best to sleep on it and see how you feel after the adrenaline wears off. If you were to report that you are not in any pain then change your story, that could hurt your case.

If you have been in a car accident and would like to speak with a Car Accident Attorneys at PhillyLawyers.com, please get in touch to review your case! The first consultation is always free.

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Real Car Accident Stories

"I was in an automobile accident in Philadelphia and I came to Kats Jamison and Associates.They were able to get me a quick recovery for the property damages to my car. They worked with my doctors to make sure I received the best medical care. All my medical bills were paid through the automobile insurance policies and my lawyers made sure it was all done properly. They explained to me the process of the settlement and litigation and once the offer was received it was communicated to me immediately. I was extremely happy with the result of my case."

"I was involved in a serious head on collision October 7th 2018. This resulted in an exceptional loss of business and months spent in Rehab. I went through 3 different attorneys trying to reach a settlement agreement. Then I finally met with Marina Kats two years since the accident. They were absolutely outstanding with the wherewithal & power to reach a settlement. Marina Kats & Brian Hanratty are outstanding! Not question that they are the go to firm when you need action steps to get everything resolved, and to be kept totally abreast!"

"I was involved in a motor vehicle accident and wasn't able to do a lot and had to stop working. From the start Marina set up an appointment for me to see a neurologist when no one was willing to see me. When I needed help or had questions she and Barb were always there to answer mine and my moms questions, to help fill out paperwork, and to get me the benefits I needed. Everyone there was extremely helpful and nice. They were patient and attentive to all of my needs and looked out for my best interests until the end. I'm glad to have met them and thankful to them."

“Marina Kats one of the best attorneys i know. She cares about clients, their well being as well as getting the best results in their personal injuries cases. I would recommend Marina Kats and Philly lawyers to anyone who needs assistance in Car accident cases and Personal injuries cases"

"Help with car accidents, bike accidents, and settlements. High recommendation, also great for Russian-speaking client - great lawyer!"

“The lawyers at this firm are caring individuals that can help you with your car accidents, get you great settlements, and treats you with great respect. For personal injury and business matters, I have known them from personal experience from a car accident in Philadelphia, they work fast and I am a very satisfied client.”

“Only at Marina Kats office! Where else can you find so much passion for the job, compassion for clients, and knowledge of the law? My answer is – Marina Kats and the people at her office. This office work ethic and abilities are very high. They have great communication skills. They are willing to listen and to hear you. They really want to help. Always available for clients, no matter when and why. Marina Kats and her people are always ready to help. Also, they get good results for clients. I strongly recommend Marina Kats office. You will not be sorry :) Marina and her people got everything resolved in an excellent timely manner.”

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Your Questions Answered

We understand when the injury occurs, you are scared and need immediate help. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hope are helpful to you.

If you come to us, we have all the answers for when you are injured in any type of accident.

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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.