If you’ve been in a car accident, contact a Memphis car accident lawyer for expert advice. You may be entitled to compensation.
Getting in an auto accident can be extremely stressful, particularly if you have been injured and need time to recover from your injuries.
One of the most important things you should consider when you get into an accident is whether or not you should contact a Memphis car accident lawyer.
A Memphis car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal system while also obtaining the compensation that will allow you to recover from your injuries faster and with more comfort.
If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident, whether it was your fault or not, here’s what you need to know about contacting an attorney after the crash. You might just be entitled to compensation – so don’t delay!
Why You Should Contact a Memphis Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident
Some people might be confused about what to do after being in a motor vehicle accident, and they might be hesitant to contact an attorney. However, if you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, it’s not a bad idea to get in touch with an attorney immediately.
Remember that your Memphis car accident lawyer is on your side: They represent you and will work hard to ensure that you are compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages incurred by the accident.
While you might feel uneasy about contacting an attorney after a car accident, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Even if you aren’t entirely sure that your case will be profitable for your lawyer, remember that they likely have experience in these types of cases and can determine whether or not you should move forward with legal action.
Many law firms offer free initial legal consultations. Taking advantage of these consultations is often helpful because they allow you to ask questions directly to an attorney and get their professional opinion on how best to proceed.
Steps To Take After an Accident
After being involved in a collision or fender bender, it is understandable that you are in shock. However, there are steps to follow to ensure the situation does not escalate and no laws are broken. Here are a few steps to follow after an accident in Memphis
Remain at the Scene
Regardless of whether the road accident is minor, you must remain at the crash scene. It is illegal to leave the scene. You will face serious penalties if you cause an accident and do not stop.
Call 911
Calling 911 is the quickest way to contact law enforcement and medical services. This gives the police an opportunity to examine the scene, interview witnesses, and file a report. It also provides opportunities for emergency medical crews to tend to wounded accident victims.
Exchange Contact Information
You should carefully gather information on the other driver and witnesses, which will help strengthen your case. In other words, gather the following information:
- Negligent party information
- Insurance information
- Eyewitness contact information
Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene If You Can
Gather as much evidence as possible. This may help your Memphis car accident lawyer build your case quickly and determine the responsible party. Make sure that you:
- Take photos of the accident scene
- Take pictures of crash damage
- Document the make, model, and license plate information of the cars involved
- Include any other evidence that could help strengthen your injury case, such as a damaged traffic light or debris on the road.
Contact Your Insurance Company to Report the Accident
In most cases, it is necessary to inform your insurance company about the accident. In general, it is one of the conditions for your policy. Get in touch with your insurance company, and share the information about the accident, but refrain from discussing it with the insurance company of the liable party.
Follow a Treatment Plan
Insurance firms will look for any reason to cut back on the insurance claim they are paying. One of the ways they do this is by insisting that you are not as hurt as you claim to be. One of the best ways to be compensated for your injuries is to follow the treatment plan to the letter right from when you make emergency room visits. Otherwise, the insurance adjusters may tell you that you are not suffering much if you don’t attend follow-up appointments or fill all your prescriptions on time.
Document Recovery
If you experience pain or if your injuries prevent you from fully living your life, it is important to document these events while they are still fresh in your mind. As you recover, keep a journal of any situations when you are in pain. A Memphis car accident lawyer can use this to determine the damage amount you need for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. Examples of ways you can record your recovery include:
- Keep a journal documenting your accident injuries and pains
- Write down details of your recovery to help build your case
- Write down missed workdays or other losses you suffered
Keep Receipts
You will need to show evidence of your expenditures to claim financial compensation for economic damages. This can be done by measuring how much you spend on your recovery. The following should help your case:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills
- Over-the-counter medication
- Car repairs
- Co-pays or deductibles
Call a Qualified Memphis Car Accident Lawyer
Focusing your energy and efforts on recovery after a serious injury is more difficult. It is best to take these steps after such an accident. Why not let an experienced car accident attorney do the investigation and gather witness statements, saving you time, stress, and headaches?
How To Find the Right Memphis Car Accident Lawyer
To find an experienced accident attorney, you can ask friends and family for references or search for them online. Another method is to speak with other law firms and ask for their advice about who might be a good fit based on their extensive experience in legal representation.
There are a few other considerations to keep in mind when it comes to finding the right attorney. What time of day is most convenient for them? Do they have experience dealing with personal injury cases involving similar accidents? Have they handled cases like yours before and obtained positive results, or have they lost these types of cases in the past?
Types of Claims a Memphis Car Accident Lawyer Can File
With an experienced lawyer on your side, you can trust that you will receive the justice and assistance you deserve after an accident. If you are considering hiring an attorney for representation following a car crash in Memphis, the lawyer may pursue these accident claims on your behalf.
Personal Injury
A personal injury lawsuit or personal injury claim is filed by those who have suffered injuries as a result of being involved in the crash. These injuries could range from minor cuts and bruises to long-term disabilities that cause substantial hardships in your daily life.
Wrongful Death
This is a claim brought by the heirs and representatives of a deceased person. If there was a wrongful death, it would be someone who died as a result of a car accident. They can file this type of suit to get maximum compensation for their loved one’s lost wages, funeral expenses, pain, and suffering. Not every attorney handles wrongful death cases, so make sure to discuss this in your initial consultation with a Memphis car accident lawyer.
Property Damage
Property damage is when somebody’s property was ruined or demolished during the accident due to something like broken glass, mechanical malfunctions, and other reasons that lead to major damages. It’s important to note that not all attorneys handle the property damage portion of an injury claim.
Loss of Consortium
A loss of consortium lawsuit is filed by family members and spouses of individuals injured in a car accident. This includes things like loss of companionship, support, affection, sexual relations, etc.
Pain and Suffering
A pain and suffering lawsuit is filed by someone who has been physically or mentally hurt due to the crash. Those types of cases typically revolve around incidents that involve emotional distress, such as severe mental anguish caused by loss of income, severe physical trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.
Emotional Distress
Emotional distress takes into account the emotional toll taken on accident victims; however, they don’t necessarily require any physical harm resulting from the incident. Emotional distress is usually used to add more value to an injury claim and typically does not make up an entire claim by itself because it is hard to prove.
Factors That Can Affect Your Compensation After an Accident
After an accident in Memphis, you will want to know the factors that affect your compensation. Most of these factors are outside of your control, but there are some things you can do to help better your chances of having a successful case.
First and foremost, you need to consider who is at fault. This will be one of your biggest factors in determining fair compensation. If you are found not at fault for an accident, your case will be easy to prove and win.
This can range from a severe injury caused by mechanical failure to injuries sustained in an accident with another driver. Those cases vary based on how serious their injuries were, how much medical attention they needed, and their pain levels throughout treatment. Most cases will fall between these two examples and play out similarly to a point system where more points received may result in a fair settlement.
Another factor that will be considered is your vehicle. This includes anything from vehicles involved in minor accidents to huge trucks, SUVs, or commercial vehicles. With more expensive vehicles, you can typically expect higher compensation payments if you have successfully proven fault.
Depending on how long it takes for your vehicle to be repaired after an accident, you may also have coverage on that end. For some people, their vehicle is their only mode of transportation, and being without it for any amount of time would severely affect their everyday life and possibly even cost them their job.
Speak With a Memphis Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case
It is often helpful to contact an attorney in the event of a car accident as they can help deal with the insurance companies, file lawsuits and represent you in court.
Do your research into both potential outcomes of the case and then decide whether or not you will need legal counsel following the crash. If you have any legal questions on accidents and auto accident lawyers in Memphis, reach us at 888-912-4944 or fill out our contact form online.