How to Settle A Car Accident Case
Only the tiniest
percentage of traffic accident cases go to trial. That’s because it’s usually
pretty clear how an accident happened, and if it’s not a compromise is used as
a basis for settlement. It’s rare that a car accident is so complex that it
requires the testimony of an accident reconstruction expert. If you’ve been
seriously injured, information about the value for damages can be estimated from
other cases where people had similar diagnoses and treatment. So why do you
need a lawyer to represent you if the cases don’t go to trial? Personal injury
attorneys know how to develop evidence for your case that will force the
insurance to settle prior to trial. Here’s some tips from
the best Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn car accident
attorneys and truck accident attorneys in NYC.
Call The Police
Never let the other
driver talk you into “keeping the insurance companies out of it” or “handling
it between ourselves.” Not only does
this route often leave you stuck paying your own deductible, but you even find
yourself paying out of pocket for everything when you void your insurance
policy by failing to report an accident in a timely manner. One of the reasons
traffic accidents are easier to settle than other types of cases is that the
major piece of evidence is the police report. If you were hit in the rear, and
the police report reflects your version of the accident, you will have little
trouble proving that it was 100% the other car’s fault.
Take The Ambulance To The Emergency Room
The police will offer you
an ambulance if you tell them you’re injured. If you tell the police that you
don’t want to take the ambulance to the emergency they will mark you “not
injured” on the police report. There will be no explanation about how you were
afraid to have the car towed, you had kids to pick up at school, you had to get
to work - it will simply say “not injured.” Every Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten
Island and Brooklyn car accident attorney will tell you that taking the
ambulance to the hospital is also important for your health, as some types of
internal injuries caused by seatbelts and airbags are asymptomatic at first,
but could be life threatening. When the time comes to settle your case, it will
be very helpful to be able to show that the injuries you are claiming were
complained of immediately after the accident at the emergency room.
Time Out of Work and Medical Treatment Are Evidence For Damages
Truck
accident lawyers in NYC handle large cases where people are very
seriously injured in crashes involving heavy vehicles. They know that’s it’s
not enough just to show pictures of the squashed car that was hit by a huge
truck, it’s also necessary to document the impact of the accident on a person’s
life. When somebody goes right back to work the day after an accident, it will
have a negative impact on the settlement value of a case, especially if the
person does physical work such as carpentry. If you are out of work for a
substantial amount of time, your case is worth more. It’s not enough just to
complain of your “pain and suffering,” you must prove it will medical evidence
that shows your diagnosis and the amount of treatment that was necessary to
improve your condition.
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