Taking the First Steps Toward Recovery Following an Auto Accident
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
A car accident is unexpected and not something that many of us can prepare for. So, when it happens, we often find ourselves lost and not sure where to go. This is especially true following an auto accident that resulted in serious injury.Taking the first steps toward recovery following an auto accident can be difficult, but not impossible. We have a few tips and some useful information to help you navigate life following your accident from the claims process to compensation and dealing with your injuries.
What Happens After the Accident?
After the accident, many people find themselves shocked, surprised, and not sure what to do next or what to expect. You might have been traveling through an intersection at the same time that someone was running a red light and because of that driver's carelessness, you are left with a totaled vehicle and several serious injuries that will keep you out of work for several months while you recover.
Immediately following the accident, you should assess the situation and determine the degree of injury you may have. Police should be called along with emergency vehicles to help the injured.
It is then important to document the accident while it is fresh in your mind so as not to leave any important details out of the police report. Write down your account if you can and take photographs of the vehicle and the scene and the other vehicles that were involved.
It is also important to get assistance for your injuries right away, while also keeping all the documentation to include with your claim.
What Insurance Coverage is Used?
Usually, the claims process is going to depend on who is at fault for the accident. In the scenario given above, the person who ran the red light would be the one to cover your medical bills. Since Florida is a no-fault state, the other driver's personal injury protection (PIP) that is required will be used to help pay for your medical bills.
Treatment for Injuries
One of the most common injuries following an auto accident is a concussion; however, more serious injuries can also exist such as back and spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, lower extremity injuries, and even psychological injuries.
Some of these injuries could take months, if not years, to recover from which can leave you with mounting debt and no income flowing in to help offset the costs while you wait for the insurance claim settlement.
How Long is the Claim Process?
Depending on the severity of the accident and the injuries that were sustained, the duration of the claims process can vary. For those cases with more serious injuries, there may be legal proceedings that have to take place prior to approval of the claim. This may also be the case if the insurance company fails to offer a fair settlement amount for the accident and injuries.
Taking the time to fight for a fair settlement and to fight for compensation to cover the ongoing care you may need because of an accident is critical to securing a more financially secure future moving forward following the accident and dealing with your injuries and recovery.
It never hurts to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury attorney to help ensure that you receive a fair settlement and treatment during all legal proceedings following the accident.