Car accidents are stressful, especially when you imagine the expenses adding up. When you’re worried about the financial impacts of a car accident, you might want to call your insurance company right away. But you should stop and think before you do that.
If you’re looking at injuries or property damages, it makes sense to start thinking about a claim. However, filing an insurance claim or giving a statement to insurance adjusters without getting legal advice could actually hurt your chances of getting compensation.
Why? Because once an insurance company gets your statement or claim, they can use the information and words you provided to try to convince you to take a lower settlement than you deserve.
After a car accident, you could be facing long-term medical bills and other expenses that aren’t fair. You need the maximum compensation you can get, which isn’t what the insurance companies want to give. Instead of trying to argue with the insurance company, tell your story to a caring personal injury attorney.
An insurance company will try to give you the minimum payment possible. A personal injury attorney will fight to get you the maximum payment possible!
Did You Already Talk to Your Insurance Company?
Maybe you are reading this and feeling stressed because you’ve already made an insurance claim or already given a statement to your insurance company. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to get the compensation you deserve. The legal team at the Law Office of Brian K. Branch is highly experienced in dealing with the unfair practices of insurance companies. If you’ve tried to get the compensation you need, and your insurance company has denied it or tried to get you to settle for less, we’re here to help! Wondering if the settlement offered by insurance adjusters is fair? We can give you the confidence you need!
How Much Compensation is Fair?
This question seems more simple than it is. You might come up with an estimate based on doctor’s bills, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and hours missed at work. But it’s more complicated than that. Many accident victims aren’t aware that they can also claim compensation for future medical costs, future rehabilitation fees, future lost wages, and even pain and suffering damages.
Pain and suffering is perhaps the most difficult area of compensation to calculate, and according to Law.com, it can include aches, pain, temporary and permanent limitations on activity, potential shortening of life, depression, embarrassment from scarring, and more.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand exactly how much compensation you’re entitled to and help you navigate the process of claiming it in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What Steps Should You Take After an Accident?
The most important first step is, of course, to stop at the scene of the accident. It’s illegal to drive away from the scene of a car accident, and doing so will certainly not help your claim for compensation!
- Check if you are injured. If you or someone else is injured, call 911 or ask someone to call 911 immediately. If you are injured, try not to move. Wait for help.
- Check on other people involved in the accident.
- If you are not seriously injured, move to safety. If you can’t move your vehicle, just move yourself!
- Report the accident! In New Mexico, you’re required by law to report to the police any accident that results in death, injury (however minor), or property damage exceeding $500. The law requires you to report the accident “immediately, by the quickest means of communication,” according to Nolo.
- Exchange the following information with the other driver(s):
- Full name and contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license and license plate number
- Make, model, and color of the other vehicle(s)
- Location of accidentDo NOT admit fault or discuss details of the accident with anyone.
Document! This will be very important in your compensation claim later.
- USAttorneys recommends getting the badge numbers and names of responding police officers.
- Get a copy of the accident report.
- Take pictures of your vehicle from different angles, showing the damage done to both cars. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the other car’s license plate.
- Get names and addresses of all parties involved, including any passengers in the other vehicle.
- Talk to witnesses, and record their contact info.Call a personal injury attorney.
After being injured in a car accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the smart step is to contact a personal injury attorney who cares about your maximum compensation.
Contact your personal injury attorney at 505.207.4401