What To Do After An Accident: A Legal Standpoint
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
St. Petersburg’s roads may be well-developed but that doesn’t necessarily mean that accidents don’t happen. As unexpectedness is the nature of accidents, it’s hard to say that you aren’t a few seconds away from a crash that can prevent you from working for a few months. In worst cases, these accidents lead to fatal consequences.A car crash is physically and financially draining but that doesn’t mean you should lose hope the moment you get involved in one. You should also consider the legal aspect of accidents especially if you are on the right side of the law on this one. Here are some of the things you may need to do if you get involved in an accident.
Don’t Leave The Scene And Don’t Touch Anything
While you may be hurting from the accident, it’s important that you don’t leave the scene of the accident until police arrive. For starters, the other party could tamper with the scene to make it look like that it is you at fault. In the first place, you shouldn’t really move about unless paramedics arrive as there could be underlying injuries in your body.
While waiting, you should call the authorities immediately. The police on-site will be the ones to conduct an investigation on the crime scene to determine which party is really at fault. You should also take some photos of your own so that you have evidence backed up on your device already.
Exchange Information
Once the police arrive, make sure to exchange contact and personal information with the other party or parties. This is important if you are going to take them to court in the near future. Aside from their contact details, make sure to exchange insurance information as well. This is the beginning of a long legal battle so this is one of the most important steps.
Seek Medical Attention
Now that everything at the site is cleared, it’s important for you to begin seeking medical attention immediately. Depending on the injury, your settlement might be big to cover the medical bills and lost wages while you are out of work. As such, make sure to keep a copy or two of medical certificates and receipts to be presented in court.
Find A Lawyer
While you are recovering from the accident, it might be the right time to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you out. What’s great about these lawyers is that while you are recovering, they’ll already be doing most of the work for you. That means you don’t have to wait to fully recover before you can press charges.
Part of a personal injury lawyer’s duty is to help out with the securing of documents and the investigation of the accident itself. That means they’ll be acting as your representative if you are unable to make it on your own. With their help, the case will be able to move as smoothly as possible while you are still on the road to recovery.
Wait For The Hearing
Cases like these tend to last a year or less. You’ll have to be patient first and foremost. If you are really free of any fault at the accident, you don’t have to worry about anything else aside from letting justice take its course. If you are worried about whether or not you should file a case at all, you should consider your loses during the accident.
Settlements will help you out big time so it is vital for you to file a case.