Have you been injured in a Rhode Island car accident? If so, you may be wondering what to do next and who to turn to. It is important in the aftermath of a car accident, that you take the necessary steps to ensure that your rights are protected. Here at the Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey, I deal with car accidents on a daily basis and I understand the trauma and devastation that they can bring upon your family. I want you to know that you are not alone and that you have a right to seek compensation. If you have been involved in a car accident, just follow these simple easy steps, you can increase your chances of securing a fair settlement. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call and speak to a Rhode Island car accident attorney at my firm.
- First and foremost, you should seek immediate medical treatment- Whether you were taken away in an ambulance or not, it is vital that you get checked out by a doctor to ensure that you have not sustained any major injuries. If you don't get transported to a hospital, then you can visit the nearest urgent care facility. In some cases your injuries may require the attention of a specialist. If that is the case, your primary doctor should be able to refer you to a specialist in that particular field of medicine.
- Be sure to notify the police and inform them that an accident has taken place- According to Rhode Island law, law enforcement should be notified when a motor vehicle accident takes place.
- If you are in pain, seek medical treatment- Adjustors will look to see if you have been seeking medical attention for your pain and injuries. If you sit home and suffer quietly, they will think that your injuries are not as bad as you say they are and they may give you a lower settlement than you deserve.
- Don't ever cancel your doctor appointments- The insurance adjustors will be looking to see if your claims are true and they will review your medical records to see if you were visiting the doctor on a regular basis. It is important that you seek medical attention if you are in pain, but do not exaggerate the level of pain that you are experiencing. Also be sure to speak with your attorney before giving any statements to the insurance companies. Remember that the insurance companies will try to delay, underpay or even deny your claim altogether.
- Keep your car accident attorney in the loop at all times- You should be constantly updating your lawyer about the medical treatment and doctor visits and be sure to keep a detailed document of those appointments. It would be wise to also keep the receipts for any medical devices or medication that you need to purchase.
- Be sure to document all physical evidence from the accident- In order to back up your car crash claim, you should take pictures of any vehicle damage, property damage and any injuries that you sustain.
- Don't sign any release forms that the insurance companies give you- The insurance company may ask you to sign a medical release form, but you should refrain from doing so. Your experienced car accident attorney can give the insurance adjusters the medical records and information that they need.
- If you were cited for a traffic violation, take legal action- If you were ticketed for speeding, running a red light or any other driving infraction, then you should hire an attorney to help you resolve the matter. Any type of traffic ticket conviction could negatively impact your car accident case and compromise your eligibility for compensation.
- Don't just settle for what the insurance companies initially offer you- It is vital that you are aware of you rights and how they pertain to your case. The insurance companies are looking to cut their costs and they want to close your case as soon as possible. Be sure to obtain aggressive legal assistance to help you maximize the amount of restitution that you are awarded.
- Try to refrain from making any statements to the other party- Don't say anything to provoke the other parties involved. On the same token, don't say anything about who was at fault for the accident, because any statements that you make on record could come back to hurt you.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, then contact the Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey today for a free consultation.