The Washington State Department of Transportation Crash Data Portal provides crash information for auto accidents in Washington State . According to the 2019 data, there were 45,524 accidents on all roads. Of those, 9,412 were possible injury crashes.
Unfortunately, auto accidents happen every day. Still, though, many injury victims fail to take the necessary steps after a collision to help protect their ability to get compensated for their sufferings. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please follow the steps below and contact our law firm immediately for help.
Get Medical Assistance
Your health and wellness are the number one priorities following an automobile crash. Never refuse immediate medical treatment if it’s required. If it’s not, make an appointment with your physician – even if you feel like nothing is wrong. At times, you may suffer from injuries that are not readily apparent.
When you see a doctor, don’t lie or exaggerate about any symptoms. Tell the truth and list all the conditions that affect you. Further, make sure you gather records of your care. These documents will serve as the backbone of any injury claim or lawsuit you file.
Gather Evidence
Soon after an accident, while the event is still fresh in your mind, try to collect any information related to it. For example, return to the accident scene and take pictures of the scene and it’s immediate area. Try to capture any traffic signals or signs if applicable.
Further, take notes as to the following:
- The types of cars involved, and any damage done to the vehicles,
- The weather conditions at the time of the collision,
- The names (and hopefully contact information) of anyone that may have witnessed the event,
- Any injuries that a party suffered, and
- The name and contact information for the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Persons are required to contact their insurer if involved in an accident – even if they weren’t responsible for causing it. This demand is specified in a person’s insurance policy. Therefore, make sure to contact your insurer and inform as to what took place.
Depending on your coverage, you may be able to get instant financial help for medical bills and any necessary car repairs. Take advantage of this help if available. Sometimes it can take months, even years, to settle an accident claim or an injury suit. Access to financial support early in a case can be critical.
Contact the Insurer of the At-Fault Party
Contact the insurance company of the at-fault driver after you’ve contacted your own. Once you do, you’ll likely get assigned to an adjuster who is responsible for investigating a claim. Ask the adjuster what is necessary to initiate the claim process and follow through with beginning one. If you don’t feel comfortable in working with an adjuster, contact a personal injury attorney for help.
Keep in mind you’ll eventually have to provide the adjuster with any evidence you have of the accident. Even if you’re working with an attorney, it’s a smart idea to start organizing your evidence after contacting the insurer. A great idea is to keep an accident notebook that contains important documents, such as:
- Medical records,
- Applicable insurance policies,
- Notes,
- Proof of lost wages (if applicable),
- Car repair bills (if applicable),
- Receipts proving any out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, and
- Any documents related to pain and suffering.
Contact a Skilled Auto Accident Attorney
Soon after experiencing an accident, you must contact an experienced accident attorney for help. A skilled lawyer will help you negotiate with an insurance company and will be able to inform you of to your options in filing a lawsuit. Note that most attorneys provide a free consultation, so contacting one will not cost a dime.
Please know that Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our firm have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties. They are tireless in their efforts and passionate in their representation. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal assistance you deserve.