Road Crashes & The Rule of Law: How to Protect Your Rights

If there’s one term that can perfectly describe road accidents and anything that’s related to them, it’s the word frightening. That’s particularly the case if we’re talking about something serious, not just a minor fender-bender.

In these instances, people typically feel very scared and lost, which doesn’t come as a surprise since this entire incident can cause major distress to both mind and body. It can be hard to think clearly.

However, if you want to protect your legal position, then you must resort to certain steps that are going to help you accomplish that. In this guide, we are going to unveil exactly what needs to be done to navigate the aftermath of a road accident the right way.

You Need To Make Sure You Are Safe

This is a general rule of thumb for any type of car accident regardless of the severity. First and foremost, you need to see if you sustained any injuries or not, and to make sure that you (along with everybody else who was in the vehicle) are safe.

If you notice that you or other passengers are seriously injured, then medical assistance must immediately be sought. That’s something that cannot be postponed. Keep in mind that in some cases, you may not notice injuries right away, however, that doesn’t mean that they are non-existent. 

Even if your injuries seem relatively harmless and benign, they should still be evaluated by a knowledgeable doctor so you can receive the right treatment. Once you ensure that everybody is safe, it’s time to move your car to a safer location to prevent any further complications, or even worse, incidents. 

If you do not feel well enough to do this, then you can always ask somebody (who generally feels okay) to do this for you.

You Must Contact A Lawyer

Since you probably aren’t familiar with the law (referring to what it encompasses) and your rights in general, then you need to consult a legal expert who’s going to explain everything thoroughly.

A car accident attorney is not only here to represent you, but also to tell you about all your options moving forward. Only then you’ll know what to expect during this whole process. Not to mention the fact that these people are generally very resourceful and smart, which means that they’ll be able to handle negotiations with an insurance company on your behalf.

Now, is it easy to find somebody who is that dedicated and compassionate? It all depends on the place you live in. Many people who have gone through car accidents agree that they’ve been very pleased with legal professionals in Atlanta, and this state in general. Therefore, if you currently reside in this city, then be sure to find a reliable car accident attorney in Atlanta who’s going to provide you with the same treatment. After all, in these types of situations, you cannot expect any positive outcome without legal assistance.

That’s because the law is full of different intricacies that a “regular” person simply cannot understand easily. 

The Next Step – Exchange Information With The Other Driver 

If you conclude that you and everyone around you (including the other driver) is fine, then it’s time to exchange information with the at-fault driver. Aside from exchanging insurance and contact information, you need to include these pieces of information as well:

• Names
• Address
• Contact number
• License plate numbers
• Insurance policy information 

Do Not Admit Anything!

Being honest in these instances is only a good idea if you are talking to the police or your advocate. Even if you are tempted to say anything and be transparent with the other party, you definitely shouldn’t say anything.

This especially refers to admitting fault. Even if you think that you were the one who caused this accident, it would still be advisable to stay silent. Why is this such a bad idea? Keep in mind that if you admit fault, you may negatively impact your entire case (including legal rights and compensation).

Don’t forget that only the court can determine who is really liable and who isn’t. That’s exactly why you must be extremely careful with your statements. Those who admit to fault, it means they are practically giving up on receiving any fair compensation.

Don’t Forget To Document The Scene Of The Accident

If you want to properly protect your rights, and, at the same time, support your insurance claim, then you need to document the scene of the accident. There are a couple of things that need to be prioritized in these instances, and they include the following:

1. Taking pictures of the scene of the accident must include things like the location of your car, along with the closest landmarks and any damages that it sustained.
2. If you’ve also sustained any damages, then you need to take pictures take pictures of them too. Once you receive medical attention, be sure to document the entire progress.
3. If you talk to the insurance company, don’t forget to keep a record of it, including the time, date, and details that are related to it.
4. Every important document that you collect concerning the crash must be properly preserved and organized. This refers to medical expenses, repair estimates, or anything else that can benefit your case. Why is this so important? These documents are going to support your claim, and, concurrently, protect your rights when it’s time to seek compensation.

Do Not Post Anything On Social Media

A vast majority of people love posting various things on their social media profiles on a daily basis. Although that has become the new normal, posting and sharing anything that’s related to the car accident can only harm your case and personal injury claim. 

Why is that? Well, that’s because an insurance company may use anything that you share online against you, particularly, if you accidentally uncover some information that must be kept private.

The ugly truth is that not a single person in this world can predict any road accident, however, what they can do is take the steps that were mentioned above to ensure your rights are properly protected.