These are the major do’s and don’ts after a Topeka auto accident that you should remember.
DON’T:
- Fail to get the medical treatment that you need. Even if you are involved in an auto accident and don’t have health coverage, you will most likely have personal injury protection benefits. Some PIP benefit plans far exceed the statutory minimum, depending on the applicable automobile insurance policy, the minimum amount of coverage that will likely apply is $4500 under Kansas law. It can be deadly to leave medical conditions related to the accident trauma undiagnosed. If there was any pain or jarring to your body caused by your accident, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If applicable, as in most cases, you might as well take advantage of the PIP coverage.
- Talk to the liability insurance adjuster for the other driver’s insurance company. Well-trained adjusters will develop a rapport in an attempt to settle your case early, for as little compensation as possible. A statement of the facts is usually required from you by the adjuster. The facts are often obtained through leading questions designed for you to give the facts that are not helpful to your case for compensation. The insurance company, or its lawyers, will often use this statement against you later in the case if you realize you have undiscovered injuries, or find the settlement is unfair.
- Settle your case without talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer. The insurance company will count on the fact that you are less likely to know the value of your case and never offer what your case is worth. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to tell you about many angles under the law that you may not have anticipated and give you a basic valuation of your case.
DO:
- Take pictures and write down as much as you can about the accident and your injuries. The picture is worth 1000 words is one adage that still holds true. Police pictures of the accident scene are sometimes not kept, or otherwise don’t get the complete view of both vehicles and the site of the car accident.
- Tell your medical care providers as much as you can about the accident, the mechanism of injury, all of the places on your body that you are experiencing pain, limited range of motion, or other symptoms related to your injuries. The medical records will not have the details if you don’t provide them. When the insurance company reviews the records after the fact, they will reference the medical records and will not believe your claims to have had greater injuries than are documented.
- Keep as many of your medical bills and medical records as you’re able to collect. Medical bills and records are important and can provide valuable information to look back on during your case and in the future.
- Call Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys of Topeka for an initial consultation and review of your case at no cost. Between the lawyers in our firm we have handled thousands of cases over the years of practice, and now we only handle injury cases. We will give you an honest evaluation of your case based on our knowledge and experience.
Site by