5 Things You Should Do After a Wreck

If you have recently been involved in a Car Wreck, it is not unusual to have questions:

• What Should I Do?
• Do I Need to Talk To Someone?
• How Do I Make a Claim?
• How Long Do I Have?

Those are all normal, expected questions. Navigating a sometimes complex legal system can be confusing. We’re here to help – Danny Glover

1. Get Healthy

After a collision, especially one involving injuries, the most important thing to do is seek immediate medical treatment.

Focus first on getting healthy.

Do NOT try to “tough it out.” Go see a Doctor without delay. Not only will you feel better, you will better protect any claim or claims you may have against the party whom caused the injuries.

Insurance Companies look for reasons to challenge paying Claims.

Delaying medical attention could call into question whether the injuries sustained were related to the wreck or something else.

Legal Professionals refer to such issues as Clear Liability and Proximate Cause.

Indeed, injuries may be worsened by waiting to begin treatment. Failure to seek immediate medical care could extend the length of time of recovery.

Do not take a chance. Go see a doctor now.

2. Make Your Online Profiles PRIVATE

Everyone loves to share things that happen to them on-line nowadays. Whether it is a birthday party, or long-awaited vacation, or even a car wreck with a trip to the Emergency Room, people regularly post on Social Media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google+ and the like.

Insurance Companies know that. . .and they take advantage of the opportunity to gather information about you.

Therefore, take the simple step of making your accounts PRIVATE, where only your friends and family can see what you post.

Here’s what Richard Harer, Vice President of Specialized Investigations says:

Social networking research and investigation is a required tool

Understand, if a case goes to litigation, it is not unusual for lawyers for the insurance company to request the disclosure of information via a process called Discovery.

They may ask for copies of the Social Profiles, your posts, pictures, and comments associated with your wreck.

If you feel compelled to post something, realize this: A Jury may at some point review what you wrote or posted.

That is true even if you make your posts Private.

See More: How Insurance Companies View Claims

3. Write Down What Happened

We recommend you write down everything that happened before and after a wreck.

That serves two purposes:

• It will serve as your memory as time passes
• It will help in the recovery process, as you will not worry about having to remember everything

This simple step may seem a bit odd. “Of course I will remember everything. It was a very traumatic event for me. I’ll never forget what happened.”

The truth of the matter is, memories do fade over time.

If it takes a long time to get healthy again, you may not remember all the little things you missed in the process.

Cases that end ultimately in litigation can take a substantial amount of time to reach Court.

If you have detailed notes, it is much more convincing to explain why you saw a Doctor or went to Physical Therapy.

See More: Writing Things Down Really Will Make You Feel Better

Writing everything down serves as your memory; but, it also does something else that is equally important.

What many people do not realize is that a wreck can be a traumatic, life-changing event.

Our minds can work in odd ways. We can add to our own level of stress, worrying about what happened and the need to remember things.

When you write something down, it serves as a type of mental release.

You allow yourself to stop thinking about an event. You “got it out of you.” You start to relax. You are able to focus on other things, like getting well.

And believe it or not, you may actually start to remember other things that happened once you start writing.

4. Get Witness Information, NOW

As stated, sometimes cases involving car wrecks take time to settle. If a lawsuit is required and litigation ensues, people whom saw the wreck may need to come to Court.

Do NOT assume just because the police wrote down what happened in an accident report that will suffice as proof.

More often than not, Live Testimony is preferable in Court.

People move. They get new jobs. They change telephone numbers and addresses.

Get as much information about your witnesses NOW, when you still have access to that information.

Obviously be nice about things. While one would not expect to need to give their entire life history, most people are willing to share their:

• Full Name
• Permanent Mailing Address
• Telephone Number
• eMail Address
• Place of Employment

Getting that information now may also increase the speed in which a claim may be made.

See More: Why Do We Forget Things and People?

Most assuredly the Insurance Carrier will want to speak with witnesses and determine what they had an opportunity to observe.

It makes sense then to have that information handy from the outset.

See More: Denying Coverage and Risk Assessment of Bad Faith

5. Talk to an Attorney, Do NOT Talk to the Carrier

Lawyers are not required in every instance; but, in that most Personal Injury or Wreck Attorneys provide a confidential consultation, free of charge, it does not hurt to get information.

In North Carolina you are NOT required to give a Recorded Statement.

That is frankly often misunderstood by some insurance adjusters.

You are only required to “cooperate” with your Insurance Company and their representatives.

You are NOT required to assist the Insurance Company responsible for the wreck. In fact, their interests are directly contrary to yours.

That may not seem fair. . .but that is how it works.

Lawyers can help explain your rights and what you are required and not required to do. That’s what we do: We Help People – Danny Glover

Talking to or “consulting” with a Lawyer does not require you to retain their services.

In some cases, an attorney is not required.

Unfortunately, in many cases lawyers get involved because people feel they are not being treated fairly by an Insurance Company or Adjuster.

Remember, settling a claim is a business decision for the carrier responsible to pay for damages.

They are in the business of getting out of claims as quickly and as inexpensively as possible.

They are not in the business of making certain you are completely healthy.

They also are not required to “do the right thing” or be fair.

That’s why we have Courts and that is why some matters end in litigation. The Insurance Company or the person whose negligence caused the wreck does not want to take full responsibility.

If you are looking for a Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Lawyer, we encourage you to do your homework.

Check out their credentials.

Ask Questions.

Find out their level of experience and what they do to help people.

Take your time.

If you have questions the attorneys at Glover Law Firm are here to help.

Call Danny Glover now for a free consultation.

Danny Glover, Jr.
Glover Law Firm
Danny@DannyGloverLawFirm.com
252-299-5300
Past President, North Carolina Advocates for Justice

• Check on Everyone Involved
• Call the Police
• Exchange Information
• Take Pictures

On scene it is important to protect your safety and, if possible, others involved in a wreck – Danny Glover

The holiday season is here. With it comes hours of interstate travel to see loved ones, celebrations with special food and drinks, and time spent shopping for the perfect gifts for everybody in your life.

Because of the increased number of holiday travelers on the roadways, the number of traffic accidents tends to be higher during the holiday season than during other times of the year. A 2013 study published by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles confirms this, showing multiple accidents leading to injuries and fatalities over the holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

Being involved in a serious car accident can disrupt your life. You might sustain damage to your vehicle or a physical injury that limits your ability to work. In many cases, motorists suffer from both. Although it can be easy to panic when you are involved in a car accident, it is critical that you remain calm and think clearly. The moments immediately following a car accident are critical and can determine whether a victim makes a full recovery.

MORE INFO ABOUT: Attorney Danny Glover

Focus on your own health and safety. Once you have received adequate medical care for your injury, consider having an experienced car accident attorney review the accident and explain your legal options to recover compensation for your expenses, such as medical bills and physical therapy, lost wages due to time spent out of work, and other related expenses.

If you are involved in a car accident this holiday season or at any time, take the following steps to ensure that you remain safe and have the evidence you will need if you choose to file a personal injury claim.

Check on Other Parties Involved in the Collision

Check on all other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who were involved in the accident. If anybody is hurt, call for emergency medical services right away.

Call the Police

Regardless of whether anybody is hurt, the next step is to call local law enforcement to have a police officer come to the scene. He or she will file an official police report, which you will need to use as evidence to support your personal injury claim if you choose to file one. Take down the officer’s contact information and badge number to reach him or her if you need to at any point in the claims process.

Take Photos of the Damage

While waiting for police to arrive, use your cell phone to take photographs to convey the accident scene and the damage that resulted from the collision. Take photos of the cars, of your accident, and of the scene surrounding the accident to show how it happened and your injuries.

• Help Others in Need First
• Be Careful
• Cell Phone Pictures are OK
• Take LOTS of Pictures
• Take Pictures from Different Angles and Distances

Exchange Contact Information with Other Motorists

Exchange contact information and insurance policy information with all other parties involved in the accident. You will need to contact their insurance provider and they might need to contact yours in the months following the accident.

Be sure to take down contact information for any witnesses to the accident as well. When you file a personal injury claim, a witness’ testimony can be an important piece of evidence to support your claim. This is one of the most important steps to take after a car accident.

Pull Off the Road

Move your vehicle off the road when it is safe to do so. Pulling off the road takes you out of the flow of traffic, allowing other drivers to reach their destinations. It also protects your car from another collision. If it is not safe to move your car, leave it where it stands until a wrecker arrives to remove it.

Seek Medical Attention

If you don’t need emergency medical care, seek a medical examination as soon as possible following your accident. Even if you do not feel like you are injured or your injury seems to be minor, it is important that you have a doctor evaluate you. Many injuries appear minor at first, then become more serious if they are left untreated. Others, like traumatic brain injuries, do not have visible symptoms and can easily be overlooked. Your doctor will give you a diagnosis and the correct treatment for your injury. The record of your doctor visit and subsequent treatment will be an important piece of evidence for your personal injury claim.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

Once you have received medical treatment for your injury, take advantage of a free consultation with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal options. Do not wait to take this step. Under North Carolina law, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of your accident. This means that after your accident, you have three years to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for your damages. Once the time has passed, you are no longer eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim.

Your attorney will use the evidence you have collected to support your claim. This includes the information you gathered at the scene of the accident, the official police report, photos, and your medical records and documentation of your treatment.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Eastern North Carolina

If you have been involved in a car accident in the Outer Banks or elsewhere in eastern North Carolina, you need to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine your eligibility to pursue a personal injury claim. Contact our personal injury attorneys at Glover Law Firm today to schedule a legal consultation with us. During your consultation, we will go over the details of your case and advise you of your legal options. If you decide to pursue a personal injury claim, we are here to represent your interests and advocate for you as you seek the money you deserve for your losses.