It can, and often does, happen when you least expect it. While driving to work, picking up your child from school or walking across the street–a motor vehicle accident can negatively impact your life and the lives of your family members in numerous ways. During 2015 alone, 1,718 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Pennsylvania and many more thousands suffered and were left to cope with painful and debilitating injuries.
Recovering compensation after a car accident
After being involved in any motor vehicle accident, it’s important to file a claim with your insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always have your best interests in mind. The following are three factors that can either positively or negatively influence the outcome of a personal injury matter.
1) Determination of fault – Insurance companies will thoroughly investigate and use anything and everything that is documented to their advantage when attempting to refute or settle a claim.
2) Proof of injury – Insurance companies will closely review any statements provided after the accident, the official police accident report and medical reports when attempting to refute or determine the severity of your injuries.
3) Proof of financial loss – When it comes to settling a personal injury claim and determining monetary losses, an insurance company won’t simply take your word for it.
Protect your best interests and rights to recover damages and compensation
After suffering injuries in a car accident, you may automatically assume that your insurance company is on your side. This isn’t, however, always the case so it’s important to seek the advice and assistance of an attorney. Additionally, taking the following steps can improve your chances of winning a favorable settlement in your personal injury matter.
1) Prove or disprove fault – From driver admissions and eyewitness statements to photographs and driving citations; your chances of triumphing in a personal injury case vastly improve if you can prove that you were not at fault.
2) See a doctor – In the wake of an accident it’s not only important to see your doctor, but it’s incredibly important to keep seeing your doctor and to strictly abide by any treatment plan that he or she recommends.
3) Document your injuries – Insurance companies are more likely to settle and pay out claims if they have documentation of the financial losses you suffered. It’s incredibly important therefore to retain copies of medical reports, medical bills and lost wage information.
Due to modern-day insurance practices, many individuals who suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents experience difficulty and frustration when attempting to recover compensation. Therefore, it’s important to seek the advice and assistance of an attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies and who has helped other injury victims recover just compensation for their injuries and losses.