Car accidents can happen in a blink of an eye. One minute you’re commuting to work, the next you’re speaking with a police officer who is asking you to recollect the events that led up the moment of collision. It can be extremely difficult to know what to say, how to proceed, and what steps are necessary to protect your health and the damage to your vehicle.
As a personal injury lawyer in Hobbs, NM, Javier Martinez, Jr. is concerned with the protection of innocent victims who are involved in a car accident. Whether it led to severe damage or minimal body injuries but serious damage to your vehicle, there is something that can be done.
The aftermath of car accidents is hard to deal with alone. Knowing your rights will set you up for best initial defense but when the issues become too much to handle, give our law firm a call. We’ll ensure you receive the necessary compensation for hospital bills, repairs for your vehicle, and other complications that resulted from the car accident.
What to Do After an Accident
Once you’re able to completely stop your vehicle, if you’re able to, move to a section where you’re not obstructing traffic. Then, access the situation and call 911. Provide your location and inform them of any injured people so they can send the appropriate help. Do your best to not speak about your emotions freely as what you say could be misconstrued for admitting guilt when it was truly not your fault. When you engage the other driver, be direct and ask for the following information:
- Name, address, and phone number.
- Drivers license number.
- Insurance information and whether they are listed under the policy. It’s possible that the driver could be driving someone else’s vehicle in which you need their policy information.
Make sure to collect the vehicle’s license plate number. You can easily do so by taking photos of the other vehicle using your cell phone’s camera. Also, capture the scene where the accident took place including damages to both vehicles, any skid marks on the road or other objects present.
Reporting an Accident
When the police arrive, they will ask for a statement regarding how the accident took place. Stick to the facts. Tell them only what you know and nothing more. It may be difficult to recall every second that led up to the accident but by providing the facts, the report will help piece together the evidence necessary to prove your case. Next, you’ll want to file a claim with your insurance and provide them the police report number. They will create a claim for the damages and they should also inform the other driver’s car insurance. The other car insurance provider will certainly attempt to deny the damages and that’s when things can get complicated.
Work With an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Hobbs, NM
The other driver’s car insurance will do their best effort to deny that the other driver was at fault. If you were injured and went to the hospital, those medical bills will also be added to the list of damages. Even if you didn’t go to the hospital, you could have complications that become apparent within a few weeks, in which you will need to seek medical attention.
All of these troubles and expenses can feel overwhelming. Do not deal with these complications alone. As an experienced personal injury lawyer in Hobbs, NM, Javier Martinez, Jr. will stand by your side until you receive a fair compensation. Contact our law firm today to learn more.
