What to Do the Day After You are Hurt in an Alaska Car Accident
Even when you follow all traffic laws, drive defensively, and account for weather conditions, there is always a risk of car accidents when driving on Alaska roads. Auto crashes are a significant problem in every US state, according to statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC). Every year, almost 47,000 people are killed in collisions, while another 5.4 million victims seek medical care at emergency rooms or physicians’ offices.
The day you are injured in a car accident will be one that you will never forget. However, the day that follows is also extremely important for the purposes of your legal remedies. You were quite shaken up and in pain on the date of the crash, but once your circumstances settle, you can take advantage of opportunities to seek compensation. A priority is contacting an Alaska car accident attorney for assistance with legal tasks, but there are some other important tasks to complete, as well.
- Get Medical Treatment: It is essential to seek proper medical care the same day as a traffic collision, but some victims avoid it because they think the injuries are minor. With some forms of trauma, you may not even experience pain until hours later. Regardless of the reason, you need to get medical treatment the day after the accident. Delays tell the insurance company and jury that you were not injured badly, so make up for the mistake right away.
- Inform Your Insurance Company: You will be filing a claim for losses with the at-fault driver’s insurer, but you should also notify your own carrier about the incident. Most policies require the insured to contact the insurance company about an accident, even though you are not filing a first-party claim.
- Start a Journal: Medical records provide a wealth of information about your injuries and treatment, but you can support your claim by keeping a diary of your experience after the crash. Include details about your pain level, limitations, and activities you miss because of your injuries. These are important for proving pain and suffering. Address your journal entries to your attorney so that they remain protected by attorney-client privilege.
- Notify Your Employer: You will likely miss work due to injuries, so inform your employer about the accident, your treatment, and when you might be able to return. Note that you may qualify to recover damages for lost wages.
- Use Caution When Contacted About the Accident: It is possible that the at-fault driver’s insurance company will reach out, and you can confirm basics about date, time, and contact information. Do not answer questions or make any statements about how you think the crash happened and advise the insurance adjuster that you are hiring an attorney to help.
Contact an Alaska Car Accident Lawyer
The legal process after an auto collision is complicated, from filing an insurance claim to negotiating a settlement to litigation in court. Having an attorney on your side ensures a favorable outcome since you could make critical errors if you do not have a legal background. To learn how our team will assist, please contact Power & Power Law. You can set up a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in Anchorage, Alaska, by calling 907-222-9990 or going online.