A Lawyer’s Role in Car Accident Investigation
The State of California currently occupies the number one position in traffic accident fatalities in the US. It recorded 4,236 deaths in year 2006. Ten of thousands are also injured in car collisions, crashes and rollovers statewide. Countless of these accidents occur due to negligence of drivers.
Depending on the location of the accident, those who are involved are generally required to make a police report of the incident. You should seek assistance from the police immediately following an accident.
A car accident investigation will be conducted by the responding police officer. A police report prepared by such officer will be available and must be secured for insurance claim. But despite the police officer’s account of the accident, you must write every necessary details of the incident on your own. This will be especially helpful during insurance company’s investigation of the accident.
It is desirable but a little unnecessary to seek the immediate assistance of a car accident investigation lawyer while still in the premises of the accident. But there are factors that are better off dealt with by a lawyer. Like those who are suspected of a crime, what you say can also be used against you in accidents.
Self-prejudicial statements made during or right after the accident are often utilized by insurance companies against a non-erring individual to avoid larger insurance claims. Or to avoid any claims altogether.
Remember to take pictures of the accident yourself, although the investigating officer might also take picture of the accident. Back up and corroborating pictures might be specifically helpful. You can also utilize this to strengthen your story of what really took place. This may aid you facilitate your claim before your own insurance or the guilty party’s, in case his insurance will not pay or if there is not enough insurance coverage.
Get the names and contact numbers of the people who witnessed the accident. Also, get insurance information from the other party including telephone numbers.
If you are too shocked or seriously injured to perform all these things, it is strongly recommended that you hire a car accident investigation lawyer. A third unrelated party to the accident can look more objectively. This objectivity and focus can result to a more complete and thorough investigation of the matter.
A lawyer can help you gather every information you need to go after your own or the other party’s insurance company. When lawsuit arise, a lawyer’s participation will be very indispensable especially if your claim does not only involved meager sums of money.
Claims would not only include the actual cost of the repair of your vehicle. You can also recover money for the days you would not able to report to work, as well as for your hospital and medical bills. Some was even allowed to recover for pain and suffering.
A car accident investigation lawyer has the necessary mastery and skill in defending victims of this sort of accident. He will see to it that you get what you rightfully deserve under the circumstances. This lawyer believes that victims need not suffer more beyond and after the accident. Rather, they must be compensated.