Auto Accidents

If you've recently been in an auto accident, you may be concerned about working with insurance companies, recovering from any injuries you suffered, and repairing your car. But if you were the victim in an automobile accident, you should also be thinking about whether a personal injury attorney who handles auto accidents can help you recover money to pay your accident-related bills and compensate you for pain and suffering.

When an accident is serious enough to cause fatal or severe injuries, or if alcohol was involved, the state will probably prosecute the driver who was at fault. But for all other car accidents, you, the other driver, and your insurance companies may be left to deal with medical bills and car repair expenses. Often these issues are ultimately resolved in court.

Victims in an automobile accident may include the car's driver, passengers, by-standers, and even the spouse of an injured person.  All auto-accident victims may be able to recover money from the other driver, the owner of the car, and even the driver's employer to pay for the damage to your car, your current and future medical bills, and any permanent injuries you may have suffered. You may even be able to get punitive damages, which are designed to punish the other driver for his or her action.

If you are contacted by the other driver's insurance company, you do not need to provide them with any information other than your basic contact information. Nor should you feel pressured to provide them with an immediate description of your injuries. A personal injury lawyer who handles auto accident injuries can help you negotiate with the other driver's insurance company or decide whether your case should be heard in court.

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT:

• Immediately file an accident report with the police, sheriff or highway patrol, if the agency has not done so at the scene.

• Write down the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number and driver's license number of any and all persons involved in the accident. Record names, addresses and telephone numbers of all witnesses.

• Obtain photographs of the accident scene, all vehicles involved (before repairing) and any visible injuries to the parties involved, such as cuts, bruises, and scars.

• Do not discuss the accident or your injuries with anyone, with the exception of your doctor and your attorney.

• Do not consent to a recorded statement or sign any document without first reviewing it with your attorney. Innocent statements made by you attempting to assist an insurance adjuster can easily be misinterpreted and used to deny or minimize your recovery.

• Immediately seek medical attention and tell your doctor the nature and extent of your pain and injury, and how the injury occurred.

• Contact Dylan M. Snyder, P.A. to help you through the process of dealing with the insurance companies, medical facilities and the court system.