Most people in North Carolina drive their car to get where they need to go. People rely on them to go to work, go to school, go grocery shopping, to run errands, to visit friends and family and for many other reasons. Most of the time people will drive to where they need to go and arrive home safely, but this does not always occur. Unfortunately, many people are in car accidents and some of those accidents result in serious injuries to those involved in them.
These injuries can be very devastating for not only the victims, but also for their families. The victim may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation as well. This means they will not be able to do many of the activities they are accustomed to doing, including working. So, while people are incurring significant medical bills while treating their injuries, they are not earning an income either which can create a very difficult financial situation. This can be particularly devastating when people are in accidents that were not their fault at all.
People who find themselves in this unfortunate situation may be able to receive compensation for the damages they suffered in the accident. However, in order to ensure people receive the proper amount of compensation, people should follow certain steps after the accident occurs:
- Call the police, if you are able to, depending on the severity of the injuries;
- If you are able, exchange information with the other drivers involved, including insurance information, driver’s license numbers, license plates and other information to identify the other drivers involved;
- If possible, try to talk to other witnesses, but this could be difficult depending on the circumstances;
- When you are able and as soon as possible after the accident, inform your own insurance company about the accident and cooperate with them;
- Maintain records of all medical treatment and medications you receive relating to the injuries suffered in the accident;
- Keep records of how the injuries limit your life and affect your ability to perform daily tasks;
- Be very cautious when speaking with the opposing insurance companies about the incident and be prepared to reject early settlement offers as they are often low; and
- Continue to treat symptoms as they appear as some injuries take time to develop and injuries can linger.
While no one in North Carolina expects to be in an accident when they get in their cars to drive, it is always a possibility. It is important to know what to do afterwards though since obtaining the compensation one deserves is very important. It will not heal the injuries one suffers, but it will help ensure the victim does not have financial hardships after the accident.
