If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, this may be a difficult time for you. You may be wondering how to pay your medical expenses at a time when you are still in the hospital, unable to work or recovering from your injuries. There are a number of pitfalls injured victims and their families should avoid especially in the aftermath of a car accident. Having an experienced Middletown car accident lawyer on your side can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of receiving maximum compensation for your injuries, damages and losses.
What Should I Know?
Here are five critical things to know if you or someone you know has been injured in a Middletown car accident:
- Obtain as much evidence as you can get. The moments after a car accident can be critical to your personal injury case. Make sure a police report is created and get a copy for your records. Obtain photographs of the accident scene. Get as much information as possible from other parties involved in the incident. For example, get contact information for anyone who may have witnesses the accident. Get prompt medical attention and treatment for your injuries. All these steps will help document the incident, injuries and the actions you took afterward.
- Be careful of what you say. It is important that you do not admit fault or take the blame for anything without knowing all of the facts. Wait for the results of the investigation to come out and be patient. This applies to both at the scene of the accident and afterwards, especially if you speak with the other driver’s insurance company. Keep in mind that anything you say has the potential to be used against your claim.
- The insurance company is not your friend. Be cautious if you talk to the other driver’s insurance adjusters. Even though they may appear friendly, their loyalty is to the insurance company first and not to you. Be aware that they might be recording the conversation and that anything that you say could be used against you. On that note, you should also make sure that you don’t post anything related to the car accident or your injuries online such as on a blog or social media sites. In fact, it would be a good idea to not use social media sites at all until your claim has been resolved. This is because insurance companies and defense attorneys are constantly monitoring online activity to see if they can find something that can help reduce the value of your claim.
- Do not rush to take the first offer from the insurance company. Often, when you are injured in an accident, it takes weeks or even months to ascertain the full impact of what you have suffered. Some injuries or pain may not surface until months after the incident. You may not know the extent of continuing treatment or care you may need. So, it is best to wait and consult with an experienced car accident lawyer who will be able to determine the totality of your damages and losses.
- Document all your damages and losses. Save every bill and receipt related to your car accident. This includes hospital bills, medication bills, money you spent out of pocket on physical therapy or chiropractic care and workdays lost.
Speak With a Middletown, RI Car Accident Lawyer
It is crucial for victims and their families to get an experienced Middletown car accident lawyer on their side, who will help ensure that they receive maximum compensation for their losses and protect their rights every step of the way. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident, contact one of our experienced car accident lawyers at d’Oliveira & Associates. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. No fees are received unless you receive a settlement or award. Our Middletown office services Newport County and is located at 1521 West Main Road Middletown, RI 02842. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us today at 401-846-5449 or toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out a contact form online.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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