What if you were driving around Pittsburgh searching for a nice coffee shop with your family when another driver suddenly bumped into you? Although it may be serious car accidents and or relatively small compared to what you expect, should you look at the affected area of your car, exchange insurance information with the other driver, and leave?
Leaving an accident scene can be riskier than you think without proper examination. Here is a guide on why you should get a Pittsburgh car accident lawyer and how to get one.
Do These After a Car Accident
A car accident experience can be so traumatic and may leave you in a state of confusion at the scene. Even with the trauma and confusion, there are basic things to do before leaving the scene of the accident. These things will help you get maximum compensation, whether the accident is minor or fatal.
#1. Get Out of the Car
A car crash will indeed leave you traumatized, shocked, and confused. The first thing is to move off the road and pull over. Don’t attempt to keep driving, whether you are the victim or not. Leaving the scene almost immediately will make you guilty of a criminal offense.
#2. Don’t fidget
After every accident you encounter, whether fatal or minor, ensure you do not show fear or weakness. Relax and be calm, then come out of your car to inspect the damage to the vehicle. Also, check yourself to see if you sustained any serious injuries. Internal injuries may not be visible for a few days.
#3. Call the Police
Seeking a police report or medical report will help you get solid evidence to present to your insurance company in the event of compensation. According to state law, it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident even after calling 911 for help. You must wait for either the police or medical team, who will help facilitate your case and give you strong evidence as a report.
#4. Get your insurance coverage
Many people register with an insurance provider to ensure their properties are protected against loss. But most insurance providers find every reason not to fully pay all your deserved premiums. Since you are a registered user, you are expected to gather all evidence and present it to the company for compensation.
#5. Hire Car Accident Attorneys
Most times, hiring car accident attorneys is the best way to deal with some insurance providers’ frustration. Your attorney is responsible for speaking to the insurance company, as they are skilled at fighting car accident cases.
Why Should I Hire Auto Accident Attorneys?
Hiring auto accident attorneys after a minor auto accident will benefit you in many ways. People who fail to hire a lawyer usually run into trouble with their insurance providers.
#1. To Lay Claims in the Future
After a minor car accident, letting go without going through the legal process can hurt your right to claim financial compensation. Your insurance provider is very knowledgeable about giving clients less compensation. Imagine the accident left a little damage to your car without attending to it, perhaps because it’s minor. Then you get involved in a more fatal accident; following the due process of taking pictures, involving the police, and hiring a lawyer will not help your case. Remember that the initial minor accident damage was not attended to, which can make your insurance company deny giving you full compensation.
2. To protect yourself
Think of it this way: what if, after the accident, the other driver, knowing you weren’t at fault, plays a fast game on you? The other driver gets a police report and hires a car accident lawyer, then claims you pay for damages. On the other hand, what will you do if you have no proof of innocence or an auto accident attorney? Your words aren’t enough to prove your case. You have to provide evidence. Your lawyer is the first person to call after such an accident to know what to do next.
3. To Present Your Case Before Your Insurance Company
You may not realize you sustained an injury at the scene of the accident, maybe as a result of the trauma. Although you may feel light-headed or have a few pains, you regard these as post-accident shock symptoms. With time, the pains become stronger and require medical treatment. An experienced car accident lawyer will represent you. You hired them to represent you to make a car accident claim, get full compensation, and also speak to the other driver to get what you fully desired.
4. To Get All Necessary Legal Advice
Hiring a legal practitioner for car accidents will help you know what to do after the crash. Just give your lawyer a call and follow the procedure he asks you to. They give legal advice to their clients regarding car accident injuries and every other personal injury case to safeguard their property and rights.
Looking for Pittsburgh car accident lawyers?
If you want to get a car accident lawyer, here are ways to go about it:
- Ask for Recommendations: Friends and family who are car accident victims and reside in Pennsylvania should know Pittsburgh car accident law firms they have used and could recommend one for you.
- Ask for Referrals: Do you know an attorney but are unsure of his rating? Ask other Pittsburgh car accident attorneys about the attorney’s qualifications and relationships with colleagues. If they give good recommendations, then you can strike a deal.
Finally, hiring the best Pittsburgh car accident attorney from a reputable law firm is key. J.P. Ward & Associates is one of the leading law firms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with experienced car accident lawyers who have taken up several cases and won over the years. We offer all our clients free case evaluation, consultation, and legal services.
We know the stress and trauma involved in head-on collisions and the process of getting compensation. It is the reason we will hold you by the hands and walk with you. Reach out, and let’s help you win the car accident case.