What to do After a Car Accident in Los Angeles, CA
Car accident injury victims commonly feel overwhelmed in the moments following a crash. The process of recovery in the days and weeks that follow can be equally challenging. There are many steps to take after a Los Angeles car accident to ensure that you get the medical treatment you need and that you set yourself up for success if you choose to pursue compensation from the party at fault for your injuries through a personal injury claim. You may want to discuss the details of your accident with a licensed LA car accident lawyer to ease the immense burden.
The following are a few, actionable steps you can take following your accident:
Take Care of Your Health First
Getting medical treatment after a car accident is vitally crucial to your health. Even if you feel fine after the crash, go see your doctor anyway. Many injuries will not show up right away due to the adrenaline pumping through your veins at the accident scene. Doctors have knowledge of commonly overlooked injuries that could flare up days or weeks down the line. Follow their medical advice carefully as your adherence to these guidelines may come into question should you choose to file a lawsuit later on.
Document the Damage to Your Vehicle
If you are physically able to, snap some photos of the damage done to your vehicle at the scene of the accident. Also take some photographs of the surrounding conditions. Once the cars have been moved and the scene cleaned up, that photo evidence will be necessary in proving who was responsible for your accident.
Anyone who has ever had to commute by foot, bike, or bus will tell you that it is no picnic. This concept is especially true if you are in physical pain. Visit the location where you had your vehicle towed or speak with your mechanic. They should be able to provide you with an estimate that can be submitted to insurance quickly. Speak to your lawyer before speaking with your insurance company or having your vehicle repaired, though, to make sure you preserve all necessary evidence.
Keep a Personal Accident File
Instead of sifting through the mail, paperwork, and other items to find what you need, keep a personal accident file instead. For type A personalities, this part is fun. For the rest of you, maintaining a file folder works excellent. From there, you can track all documents that pertain to your accident. Write down everything you can remember about the accident as soon as you can after it occurs. Keep this in your file, as well, along with your medical bills, daily pain logs, etc.
Find Resolve and Move Forward
By this point, you have likely resolved the urgent matters surrounding your accident. Now it is time to begin filing an insurance claim. If that avenue proves to be unsatisfactory, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit if someone’s negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries.
Talk to an LA Car Accident Lawyer
Often, motorists are left wondering if they have a personal injury case. If you are injured, feeling pain, or diagnosed with a condition related to the accident, then you should probably discuss the circumstances with an experienced personal injury attorney. He or she will be able to help you assess if you have a valid claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Deldar Legal
At Deldar Legal, our team of LA car accident lawyers work tirelessly to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome regarding your case. You can schedule a no-obligation consultation in one of our offices conveniently located throughout California by phone at (844) 335-3271 or by sending us a note about your situation through our request form.