Before ever being in a car accident, you might not realize how much goes into your claim and getting damages. Even if you have been in a crash before with vehicle damage only, a car accident with injuries – especially serious ones – is completely different.
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling car accident claims for injury victims. We fight with insurance companies and drivers to get you the damages you deserve, even if that means taking your case to trial.
For help, call our car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm right away at (215) 709-6940.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Bensalem
If you were in an accident, we can break down your next steps into four categories:
Before the Police Arrive
Immediately after a crash, your first priority is getting to safety. Move your car to the side if it is functioning. If you are unable to move your car, still get yourself to a well-lit, dry, warm/cool area. However, do not stray too far from the scene.
Then call 911, request police and EMTs, and alert them to your specific location. If there is a fire, request a fire department response as well.
The police and ambulance crew can help other people, but if you are able to help anyone else from your vehicle or other vehicles get clear of the road, doing so is helpful.
At this point, you can also start exchanging information with the other driver, though this might be safer once the police arrive if you suspect the other driver of being drunk or belligerent.
After the Police Arrive
Continue to exchange any information you need to with the other driver. Get their name, contact info, license plate number, car make and model, and other information you think you might need. You need to give them your info as well.
You should also get their insurance info and, if they were working while driving, their employer’s contact details. Take note of any other information like lighting, weather, and roadway conditions, as well as the specific location of the crash.
The police will investigate the crash and write up a report, meaning they need to ask you and the other witnesses and drivers questions. Be honest but avoid giving away unnecessary information that could be turned against you or misconstrued as an admission of fault.
Also get treatment from the EMTs at the scene. If they recommend further treatment, get it.
In the Following Hours and Days
If you need to go to the hospital, the crash’s aftermath could extend for a few hours or days. Get any medical treatment you need and follow up with doctors as recommended.
If the EMTs released you from the scene without treatment but you feel neck pain or other soreness in the following hours or days, go to the hospital. Doctor’s offices and urgent care clinics often cannot bill car insurance properly for treatment and will tell you to go to the hospital instead.
Also keep track of all medical care, expenses related to the accident, car repairs, expenses you need at home because of the crash, and lost work you face. Keep track of your recovery, your emotional distress, and the pain you face, too.
Call a Lawyer
When ready, call a lawyer. Doing so within a few hours of the accident is ideal because we can seek any further evidence that might be out there, like nearby security camera footage that caught the crash.
We can also advise you on what to do, who to talk to, and what not to say.
From there, we can also advise you on how to talk to the insurance companies, what money you can accept, and what damages you need to claim. We can track your expenses and damages, talk to witnesses, and build a strong case.
Then, when you are ready, we can file your case in court to maximize damages.
Is My Car Accident Serious Enough to Call a Lawyer?
Crashes around Bensalem can range from fender-benders to serious highway crashes. Any time you face injuries, your case is sufficiently “serious” to call a lawyer.
Our car accident attorneys can help with mild, moderate, and severe injuries. Any time you face medical bills, the defendant should pay for these. The same is true for any lost wages your injuries cause.
Along with these damages, the defendant should also cover your pain and suffering. With moderate to severe injuries, insurance companies often try to skip pain and suffering payments, limiting the case to medical bills and lost wages only. When reviewing an initial settlement offer, you might see full compensation for these expenses and think that is enough, but our lawyers can often double or triple the demand once we account for pain and suffering.
At the end of the day, a case evaluation is free, so there is no reason not to call our lawyers and check if you have a serious case. We might not be able to put a clear value on your case in your initial call, but we can identify how strong your case is, your general chances of success, and a list of some potential damages to claim.
Damages for Car Accident Victims in Bensalem
As mentioned, your car accident case should allow you to recover compensation for expenses and pain and suffering.
The expenses in your case – categorized as “economic damages” – typically involve repair bills, medical bills, and lost wages. Medical bills cover not only emergency treatment, but also ongoing care like physical and mental health therapy, medication, and more.
When accounting for lost wages, we take into account those earnings you already lost before trial and any future wages you will lose. Many car accidents cause temporary or permanent disabilities that affect your ability to work long into the future.
Other incidental damages, like the cost of childcare of household services, can also be claimed.
Your pain and suffering, along with other personal effects like lost enjoyment, lost participation in activities, and emotional distress, can also lead to monetary payments. These “non-economic” damages have no bills to prove their value, so our lawyers use other generally accepted calculation methods.
Call Our Bensalem Car Accident Attorneys Right Away
For your free case evaluation, call our car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
