Car accidents due to negligence continue to be a leading cause of severe and fatal injuries in Philadelphia. Car accident injuries can significantly impact a victim’s life. Besides focusing on recovery, injured victims have to deal with medical bills, time off work, and supporting their families.
Pennsylvania personal injury laws allow victims to recover compensation by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit if a negligent driver is responsible for causing the accident. An experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney can handle the stressful aspects of securing compensation, while an accident victim can focus on seeking treatment to facilitate optimum recovery. The lawyer can also help you avoid mistakes that can jeopardize your chances of recovering maximum compensation. The top three mistakes to avoid after an accident include:
Leaving the Accident Scene
In the immediate aftermath of your Philly car accident, take the time to gather your senses and assess whether you have any injuries that need immediate medical attention. Then, call 911 or the police to report the accident. Pennsylvania laws require drivers involved in accidents to stay at the scene without obstructing traffic and provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number to others involved in the accident.
Drivers also must provide this information to any police officer who responds to the accident. It is vital to document the accident scene and note down the contact details of any witnesses, if possible. Pennsylvania drivers also must provide this information to any police officer who responds to the accident. Failure or refusal to provide this information or leaving the accident scene before the police arrive can make it a hit-and-run case. There’s a general presumption that a driver who leaves the accident scene is entirely or at least partially responsible.
Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Seeking urgent medical treatment after your Philadelphia accident is imperative to protect your physical health, as well as the chances of success of a future insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Delaying or ignoring a visit to a hospital for a thorough physical examination can jeopardize your ability to collect compensation for damages.
A physician familiar with working with accident-related injuries should know what questions to ask you to detect injuries that you may not have even noticed.
Your doctor will perform a comprehensive exam or recommend diagnostic imaging tests, such as X-rays, a CT (computed tomography) scan, ultrasound, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
These tests can detect everything from a rupture in the brain to a fractured bone to an internal organ injury and much more. Delaying or not seeking treatment for your injuries could make insurance claims adjusters assume that you were not injured, that you had a pre-existing condition, or that you caused further deterioration to the injury by delaying or refusing to seek treatment.
Failure To Consult A Car Accident Lawyer
Under Pennsylvania’s No-fault insurance system, accident victims must file a claim with their insurance companies, regardless of who is responsible for a collision.
It is critical to consult an experienced car accident lawyer before notifying your insurance company about the accident. The lawyer will review your policy to determine the coverage limits and accident reporting requirements. The lawyer will guide you through the claims process, gather evidence, draft a demand letter meticulously, and negotiate tirelessly to seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact A Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer
Seasoned Philadelphia car accident lawyers are familiar with Pennsylvania personal injury and traffic laws to help victims fight for the compensation they need and deserve for expensive medical treatment and therapy, lost wages, and short and long-term physical and mental complexities caused by car accident-related injuries.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries at the hands of a negligent Philadelphia driver, contact a car accident lawyer immediately to schedule a free case assessment.