If you have never been involved in an accident until now, you are probably feeling a little uncertain about the future and what you should expect to happen next. You might even still be in a state of shock. However, it is important to properly handle the aftermath of this terrible experience to ensure that it does not continue to negatively impact your life.

Below is a brief overview of what you can expect to happen after an accident and the steps you should take as it continues to unfold:

• Preserving evidence: After you have made sure no one is severely injured or in need of emergency medical assistance, it is critical that you call 911. Law enforcement will be able to file a police report, which both your insurance and the at-fault insurance company will require. Next, it is important that you preserve evidence as best as you can, including pictures of the scene, damage done to both vehicles, and any visible injuries you might have sustained. Memory fades and a personal injury claim will take some time to resolve, so having pictures will be immensely helpful in supporting your case. You should also exchange all pertinent information with the other driver and gather personal information from any passengers or potential witnesses.

• Your injuries: If you were injured, your next step is to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Just because you do not need to be wheeled into an ambulance on a stretcher does not mean you did not sustain any injuries, so make this a priority. Otherwise, if you begin to experience symptoms of an injury later, it will be difficult to prove that it is related to the accident.

• Talking to the at-fault driver’s insurance company: The at-fault driver’s insurance company is going to reach out to you as soon as possible and their ultimate goal is to either reduce or eliminate your compensation. As such, you should be careful when speaking with an insurance adjuster and only provide basic information, including your name, address, and where and when the accident occurred. You are not obligated to discuss your injuries at this time, especially since you likely will not yet know the full extent of them. You should also contact a personal injury attorney at this time. He or she can also handle the insurance company on your behalf.

• Negotiating your claim: Once your attorney is able to provide an estimate of your damages, you will be able to draft a demand letter to the insurance company, supported by copies of your medical records, bills, and a statement from your employer if you had to miss work. A skilled attorney who is experienced in negotiating with insurance companies should be able to secure an appropriate settlement on your behalf, but the fact is that some insurance companies are obstinate and will force the case to go to court.

• If you cannot settle your claim: In the event that your claim cannot be settled through negotiations, you would file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

Car Accident Attorney in Las Vegas

If you were recently injured in a car accident that was caused by the negligent or careless actions of another driver, you need to seek the skilled legal assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. At Shook & Stone, our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have over 85 years of combined legal experience and a proven track record of success. Contact us today!

For the legal representation you deserve, call us at 702-570-0000 to schedule your free case review.