The physical and emotional fall out from a car crash is immense, and the financial implications only add to the stress. There’s a reason why a car crash is often the worst-case scenario for most people, and it’s right up there with some of the most terrifying anxiety dreams – or nightmares – one can have. If you’ve gotten into an accident recently and are having trouble recovering or figuring out what to do, then the following article should help.
Here we will try to parse out the things you need to do after a car crash to help you recover financially because the last thing you need is a massive bill from your car insurance while you’re trying to recuperate physically from the ordeal.
Obtain a Medical Report after the car crash
First things first: even if you don’t feel as though you’ve been terribly hurt in the aftermath of an accident, you still need to go to the hospital and obtain a full medical evaluation. Have a doctor see you and assess your injuries if any. You will need this document, later on, to help you deal with the insurance company, which we will cover in a bit.
Hire a Lawyer after the car crash
Maybe you can take care of the paperwork on your own. But in general, it is advisable for you to hire an attorney who is also well versed in the state’s laws. As the law gurus at https://stokesstemle.com/ will note, some states have very clear no-fault laws that need to be followed, and it can be difficult for you to make the case without proper support. A car accident is as good a reason as any to hire a lawyer to go to bat for you so that you can have someone in your corner ready to battle against all the outrageous financial claims being thrown your way.
Contact Your Health Insurance Company
So you’ve been to the doctor or hospital and received treatment. You have the bills and a detailed medical report to prove it. Now you need to tackle those bills right away since they tend to be the first thing that will drain your bank accounts right away. So, call your health insurance company, keeping your lawyer in the loop, and file a claim to help you receive aid through your insurance policy. This claim is essential to keeping your expenses low as you take the time to recover, and even though they may not be able to cover everything, it will still be enough to help you get through treatment.
File a Personal Injury Claim after the car crash
Suffering through injuries caused by a car crash can make things incredibly difficult, and it takes a toll on your health. Another way in which it can impact you is by causing you to miss days of work, which can result in a loss of income. This is another financial stressor that you can do without. You can’t keep paying the bills for your medical care while being laid up and not having a paycheck to rely on. Filing a personal injury claim with your lawyer is pretty much the only way you can get worker’s compensation to help you make it through this difficult time.
Call Your Car Insurance Company
The next thing you need to do is call your car insurance company, especially if your car got damaged pretty badly. The cost of repairing it will bring you back considerably. So, you should make a claim so that the insurance company sends a representative to inspect your vehicle and see if you’re eligible for the claim. If you – and your lawyer – can prove that the accident was not your fault, you should be able to receive compensation without any issue.
Seek Damages from the Second Party
Another way to help you pay for the damages and your medical bills is to seek damages from the other party if they can be proven to be negligent. If you got rear-ended by a drunk driver, or someone really careless, then it should be pretty easy to receive money from a settlement of some kind. Your lawyer should help guide the process.
Change Auto Insurance
Your insurance policy will most likely increase in the aftermath of an accident, regardless of who precisely is at fault. Check the fine print, but after you’ve received a claim is usually a good time to start shopping around for a new insurance policy. Other companies will try to woo you by offering better rates, which you should take advantage of to try to save money.
The aftermath of a custom car accident is awful, and in some cases, it can be a life-changing event. However, you don’t need to be held prisoner by financial pressures when you’re in the midst of recovering. Following the steps above should help make things a bit easier for you, and lower the burden somewhat.