Five Things You Need to Know to Win an Alaska Car Accident Case
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities reports that more than 4,300 people suffer injuries in car accidents every year, leading to considerable physical, financial, and emotional losses. If you were a victim, you certainly want to do everything you can to recover compensation from the responsible driver. The problem is that, without knowing it, you can severely impair your rights through mistakes in the legal process. You might receive a much lower amount for your extensive losses – or possibly nothing at all.
Fortunately, you can preserve your rights by retaining an Alaska car accident lawyer as soon as possible. In the meantime, it might help to know a few basics for success with your auto crash case.
- Your cell phone is your best tool for gathering evidence. You need to gather evidence to prove your right to compensation, and the good news is that you have a great tool in the palm of your hand. Use your cell phone camera to take pictures of the vehicles, the scene of the accident, and other relevant details.
- The first step in seeking compensation is not filing a lawsuit. Instead of going straight to court, you will usually file a claim with the responsible driver’s insurance company. In some cases, your attorney could negotiate a fair amount to settle your claim, so you may not need to pursue a lawsuit at all.
- The other driver’s insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. The insurer is in the position of an opposing party in an auto crash claim, so the company will attempt to resolve your matter for as low as possible. A claims adjuster might even deny your claim by blaming the accident on you.
- You should keep your conversation with a claims adjuster short. Because of the point above, it is important that you avoid a drawn-out discussion with the insurance adjuster. You might reveal too much information about fault or your injuries.
- If the insurance adjuster requests a recorded statement, NEVER provide consent. Even if you do keep your conversation short, you should absolutely not agree to be recorded. Your words can be especially harmful to your rights if you make an admission through an audio recording. In addition, do not sign a release if asked by the insurance company. You may impede your future rights by agreeing to a release, at a time when you may not know the full extent of your losses.
Contact an Alaska Car Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Rights
It is helpful to know some general information about motor vehicle crashes, but you need more than just the basics to succeed in getting the compensation you deserve as a victim. Instead of putting your rights at risk, trust our team at Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska. To set up a free consultation about the legal process and your remedies, please contact our office to speak to an experienced attorney.