Key Points of This Article:

• Being injured in a car accident can impact an individual’s ability to work, take care of their family, and pay bills.
• After a car accident occurs, it’s imperative to file a report with the police, collect all the evidence available, and seek appropriate emergency medical treatment and follow-up with a doctor as needed, so that you can get the medical care you need and so that you can receive the compensation needed to recover.
• If an accident causes serious injury or even death, those involved should know all the options available to pursue damages and win their case.
• A Kentucky car accident attorney can help gather evidence like witness statements, investigate the crash site, and decide what other information is needed to present the best possible car accident case.

Owensboro Drivers: Six Rules to Follow After Your Car Accident

No one should have to pay the price for accident injuries caused by another driver, and the injured will need all the documentation and facts to prove any negligence. Car accident attorneys can help sift through questions related to medical bills and health insurance coverage, determine what type of evidence is needed, deal with property damage claims, and provide an understanding of why a claim may have been denied. And you can help present your best case alongside your lawyer by following these six rules after being involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle crash.

#1. Report the Accident

Call the police to file a Kentucky Uniform Police Traffic Collision Report, even if it appears no one was injured in the accident or no damage was done. The information collected will be used for insurance and legal purposes. The report should record the accident’s time and date, the accident’s location, the names and contact information of all parties involved, and the property damage caused by the crash. It may also list the contributing factors of the crash to help determine who was at fault.

Special note about COVID-19 and social distancing after an Owensboro car accident: If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or someone in your household is in quarantine; it’s essential to let the 911 operator or responding officer know when you make the call. As you conversate with anyone at the scene, maintain the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation of 6 feet of distance from others. If you have a mask, please wear it or use a cloth covering.

  #2. Schedule a Medical Exam

The symptoms of a motor vehicle accident-related injury, severe or seemingly small, may not always show up immediately, but seeking care quickly may reduce complications and provide information about what to expect in terms of a delayed diagnosis such as whiplash or pain and suffering type symptoms, which are very common after a crash.

Examples of damages a personal injury victim may claim under pain and suffering:

• Anxiety or worry attributable to the personal injury
• Grief, terror, and fright
• Impairment of ability to work or keep employment
• Mental distress, failure to enjoy family and life
• Physical pain, disfigurement, and deformity
• Shock, embarrassment, and humiliation
• Worrisome, anxiousness, and nervousness

Be sure always to alert your physician – and then attorney – of any new developments in your health, medical treatment, newly recognized injuries, medical conditions, or mental struggles you are experiencing.

#3. Hunt Down All the Evidence 

To help make your case, you will want to present as much evidence as possible regarding the accident. You can even use your smartphone to take descriptive notes, pictures, and videos of vehicle damage and license plates, injuries, and the scene. Collect the contact information of any person involved or witness statements in addition to what may be included on the police report.

A professional legal team can also help locate that evidence for you after a crash and make a formal request to retrieve it. For example, your attorney may have faster access to real-time video footage and photography of the accident scene and can gather the evidence needed before it is erased. They also know how to read the information on the report and determine if anything is missing. 

#4. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

Suppose you don’t make it to all of your scheduled doctor’s appointments or follow his/her suggested advice for the best chance at recovery. In that case, the insurance company will probably allege that your injuries are not sustainable or existing and that your claim should be dismissed, denied, or settled at a lower cost. Listening to the directions provided by your medical team will help show the insurance company exactly how serious or not your injuries are.

#5. Avoid Oversharing

This means if you haven’t yet spoken to an attorney at Rhoads & Rhoads, avoid the pressure to give a recorded statement to third parties before having all the facts. Your seemingly innocent conversation could be used against you. If a recording is necessary, you will want an attorney to be present during the meeting and advise you of any misleading questions that could hurt your claim.

Also, don’t overshare the details of your accident or injuries on social media by sharing pictures or information about how you are feeling or activities you are engaging in. It may be used against you or twisted to harm your case. Even though sharing the details of your accident or making comments in a public setting may feel helpful to you and supportive, they won’t advance your claim.

#6. Schedule a Free Consultation with a Rhoads & Rhoads Personal Injury Attorney

We are sorry to hear if you have been involved and injured in a car wreck in Owensboro or another Western Kentucky community. We understand the extra stressors these events have on people. It may be helpful to speak with an attorney at Rhoads & Rhoads about your legal options as soon as you are ready. Our goal is always to help you uncover the details needed to present your case and recover the compensation you deserve, including damages for medical bills and future medical expenses, lost wages, services, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.

Owensboro, Madisonville, and Western Kentucky Car Accident Injury Lawyers 

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, our team of experienced trial attorneys and support staff at Rhoads & Rhoads can help you through this challenging time and get you the financial recovery you deserve. We offer free initial consultations, which can be done virtually or within safe social distancing, and all cases are taken on a contingency fee basis. Call us at 888-709-9329 to schedule your free consultation.

Also read: Car Accident Evidence Can Include Witness Statements