Being involved in a car wreck can be a horrifying experience. Even if you are not physically hurt, a car accident will certainly leave you shaken and confused. If the accident in question was not your fault, it helps to note that you may be eligible for compensation from the negligent party.
A car accident, however, is both a personal and legal matter. Thus, to successfully pursue the liable party for damages, it is important that you take certain personal and legal steps. Here are some of these steps:
Call the police to the scene
Regardless of the circumstances that lead to the accident, it is important that you call the police to the scene immediately. In fact, North Carolina law requires that you call the police to the scene if the accident results in personal injury, death or damage to property. Having a police report that clearly finds the other party at fault will certainly go a long way in bolstering your car accident case.
Seek treatment
The moments following a car accident can be chaotic at best. The adrenaline rush can conceal your pain and let you believe that you are not hurt, or that your injuries are not serious at all. However, this can be a costly mistake.
Basically, here are two reasons why you need to seek treatment after a car accident:
- You can never be sure of the extent of your injuries. Seeking immediate treatment immediately ensures that any hidden injuries (like internal hemorrhage) are diagnosed in time and treated before they can develop into something serious.
- You need a medical report and actual medical bills to justify your claim. Remember, car accident claims, like other legal matters, are won or lost on account of evidence. If you can’t link your injuries to the accident in question, you will certainly have a difficult time winning your claim.
No one sees a car accident coming. Unfortunately, tens of car accidents are reported throughout North Carolina each day. You may need to find out how you boost your odds of winning your car accident claim and receiving the damages you deserve.
