Should You Take The First Offer After A Car Accident?
It’s really tempting to just accept what’s given to you, especially when you’re dealing with potentially ruinous car accident bills. The demands are more than you can bear; any type of relief is more than you may think you can get otherwise. That’s what the insurance company counts on.
At Hadeed Law, attorney Samir Hadeed wants everyone to know that the first offer you get from an insurance company is the minimum amount they think will make the problem go away. Across Pittsburgh, people struggling from accidents are in a desperate place, and insurance companies use cold, pitiless algorithms to decide precisely how little to offer. By working with a skilled personal injury attorney, that’s not how your case has to go.
What Should You Do Immediately After A Car Accident In Pennsylvania?
The average driver in the United States can expect to be in a car accident three or four times in their lifetime. The steps you take after a wreck can deeply affect your health and your ability to make a successful claim against the at-fault party’s insurance.
With that in mind, take the following actions:
- Call 911 to report the accident to the police. You want to call the police and file a report even if you think the accident is minor. That way, the incident is on record if you later discover unexpected problems with your vehicle or hidden injuries.
- Ask for an ambulance. If you, your passengers or anyone at the scene of the wreck is injured, emergency medical care is a must. It is better to get checked out by a professional than take any chances with your health.
- Get the other driver’s information. You can wait until the police officer arrives to get the name and contact information of the other driver, but you should go ahead and take note (or take a picture) of their license plate number. If possible, obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses who are on the scene.
- Document all your injuries. Some injuries look serious immediately – while others only develop over time once swelling and bruising set in. Take photos of your injuries as soon as possible (and continue to document their progression over time).
- Get photographs of the scene. If at all possible, you want to use your camera to capture the scene of the accident. Take photos from multiple angles of the vehicles involved, any skid marks or debris in the road and the road itself.
Finally, if you are injured, speak to a car accident lawyer right away to protect your interests. Attorney Samir Hadeed can help you understand what steps to take to guard against the insurance company’s attempts to devalue or deny your claim and help you obtain fair compensation for your losses.
Fighting For Pennsylvanians Suffering From Car Accident Consequences
A car accident is often entirely out of your control, and so is what happens after it. You may face such problems as:
- Extensive injuries: From broken bones to burns to spinal cord injuries to amputations, car accident injuries are some of the most serious – and expensive – injuries to deal with.
- Lost time at work: A hidden expense of a car accident injury is the often lengthy time you will be out of work, even in a desk job. For a job where you must use your body, you may lose income for a much longer period of time.
- Transportation issues: Most people in Pennsylvania rely on their cars to get to and from work or the grocery store. Not having that primary mode of transportation will make things harder.
- Caring for family: If you were in an accident but were not alone in your car during it, someone will need to care for your family member who is also injured – if not you, then who?
These are all serious issues and serious expenses. You deserve to pursue compensation, and attorney Hadeed will help you.
What About Single Car Crashes?
Pennsylvania has a first-person injury law, and your insurance must provide you with some coverage in an accident when there are no other involved cars. This is a bit more of a complex issue, but you can still get help.
Call For Your Free Consultation
Attorney Samir Hadeed wants to hear from you right away to assist you in getting the coverage and help you deserve. Call 412-643-0768 or send an email to schedule your consultation.