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Being in a car accident can be a harrowing experience. It is also expensive, as it will almost certainly result in both car damage and injuries. However, if the accident was not your fault and happened due to someone else’s negligence, there might be a way to mitigate the effects. This will require that you pursue an injury claim to receive compensation. With this, you can pay the bills you racked up and ease the burden on your well being. If you were involved in a car accident, and have grounds to pursue compensation, follow the steps below:

Get Medical Treatment

The first step to take if you are involved in a car accident is to seek medical treatment. Even if the injury you sustain seems minor, you should still see a doctor and get treated. Not all injuries are physically present immediately, and you could have suffered an internal injury and not know about it.

Do not hesitate to seek treatment. If you hesitate, you will be giving the insurance company grounds to seek damages your injury did not result from the accident. However, avoid “personal injury” doctors. These doctors charge exorbitant fees for treatment and therapy. Insurance companies will naturally dispute such fees, and the burden will be placed on your shoulders.

File a Report

The second step to take if you intend to pursue an injury claim is to file a report with the relevant authorities. You should notify the police of the accident as well as the responsible party. Filing a police report is especially important, as it will come in handy when you are pursuing your injury compensation.

Gather Relevant Evidence

Without relevant evidence, you will not be able to prove your injury claims, which means you will be unable to seek compensation. Take pictures of the accident site, the vehicles involved, and even the parties. Also, document what caused the accident. Getting the accounts of eyewitnesses will undoubtedly help as well.

Along with this, collect a copy of the responding officer’s report and that of the Emergency Medical Services officers that attended to you. The EMS report will prove the extent of your injuries as well as the medical care you received. The police report will contain information about the guilty party and the witnesses, among other things.

Hire an Attorney

According to a car accident lawyer in Boston, injury claims can be classified into two categories: soft-tissue injury and hard injury claims. Soft-tissue injury claims involve minor injuries, and settling them is usually uncomplicated. Hard injury claims, on the other hand, involve severe injuries and are typically difficult to resolve.

If your compensation falls under the former class, you might be able to resolve it on your own. However, if it falls under the latter, you should not attempt to settle it on your own. The reason for this is simple: you will be treated unfairly by the insurance company. 

Pursue Your Claim

Finally, with the help of your lawyer, you should pursue your injury compensation against the at-fault driver. Notify their insurance company. While the guilty driver might have done this, you should do so as well. It would also be wise to notify your insurance company, even though you are not at fault. Most auto policies have a “notification clause,” which obligates you to report such occurrences.

Endnote

Seeking compensation for your injuries is an easy process if you have the right information. Nonetheless, it is important to hire a knowledgeable attorney is crucial to protect your rights and help you pursue your compensation.