Posted in News on April 16, 2019
Thousands of Montana residents suffer injuries in car accidents every single year. The aftermath of these accidents can be devastating – you can experience injuries that require you to take weeks off of work to recover from, as well as expensive and unexpected medical bills and emotional repercussions that stay with you for a long time. Different types of car accident injuries can lead to different types of damage and treatment plans.
If you’ve reached our page because you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
The first thing you should do after you are in a car accident is seek treatment at an emergency room or from a trusted doctor. Even if you feel as if you do not have any injuries, you may not feel the impact of the accident until a few hours or even days after the crash. In addition, your medical records will be a significant piece of evidence in your insurance claim.
Depending on the extent and severity of your injuries, you may need to receive stitches, casts, or even surgeries to repair your injuries. Recovery time may last anywhere from a few days to several months. The sooner you receive medical treatment, the sooner you can begin your path to recovery.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
One of the first actions you should take after a car accident is to call 911 to receive medical attention and to speak to a police officer. When law enforcement arrives at the scene, you can provide them with valuable information and they will draft a police report you can use in your claim. Filing a police report will help you recover compensation for your injuries and the accident’s aftermath.
Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
After your car accident, a representative from the insurance company responsible for paying your damages may visit you and try to get you to agree to a settlement. While you want to recover quickly from your car accident, rushing into an agreement with an insurance adjuster may leave you with unpaid bills and ultimately lengthen your recovery time. These settlement offers are often lower than what you need to recover. Avoid speaking to an insurance adjuster before you speak to a car accident attorney.
Begin Collecting All Documents Related to Your Injuries and Losses
You can claim compensation for medical treatments, lost wages, property damage, and emotional repercussions through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. However, you will need to provide proof of your losses to claim compensation. As soon as possible, begin a folder and collect all documents that pertain to your injuries and losses. Take photos of your injuries, save your medical bills and discharge papers, retain all receipts and invoices, and keep track of the amount of time you take off work.
Hire an Attorney to Represent Your Claim
Stress is a terrible emotion to feel when you are suffering from severe injuries. If you are handling your own lawsuit proceedings or your insurance claim, you will have to handle filing paperwork, filling out forms, attending negotiations and other meetings, collecting evidence – the work never seems to end. To reduce your stress and help you focus on your recovery, hire an attorney to assist you with your claim.
Your attorney will handle the majority of the claims process from consultation to settlement, and he or she will prepare you for anything you need to do on your end. Your attorney will conduct all applicable investigations, collect and review evidence, and file paperwork. Since you do not have to cope with the stress of the legal process, you can focus on healing and hasten your recovery time.
Contact Heenan & Cook, PLLC Today
If you suffered injuries in a Billings car accident, visit a medical professional as soon as possible to receive the treatment you need to recover. In addition, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help you obtain the compensation you need to pay for your injury treatment and recover from the accident’s aftermath.