The thought of being involved in a car accident while traveling is frightening, but accidents can happen. The last thing you want to think about after an accident is how you are going to face the legal challenges that could come your way. However, if you are careless, you may find yourself facing legal action no matter where the accident occurred. Therefore, it is a good idea to be prepared for a legal battle with these tips.
File Accident Reports Immediately
In most cases, the general rule of thumb is that the person who files the police report is considered to have been more truthful than those who did not file reports at all or filed them later on. When you file a police report immediately after an accident occurs, you can prove that you were truthful and accurate about what transpired in your written statement. Also, filing a police report gives you proof that you notified law enforcement of the accident within a certain amount of time. Having this proof will help if any insurance company tries to push the blame onto you for any reason.
Find A Lawyer That Specializes In Your Type Of Case
You need to find a lawyer that deals with the type of case you are dealing with. If you have dealt in the past with similar cases, you should contact lawyers who have a specialty in those areas. However, it might be a challenging task if you happen to be in a foreign country. For instance, if you were involved in a car accident in San Antonio, you should contact the closest office of a firm that specializes in auto accident cases and ask for their help. They will usually refer you to an auto accident attorney in San Antonio who can meet your needs. The specialist knows the laws that apply in that area and will know what to expect, which can make your case much easier.
Auto accidents can be extremely complicated and time-consuming in many ways. Always consult a professional auto accident attorney when faced with one so he or she can present all of your options to you and help you decide the best path to take. Also, keep in mind to never take legal advice from anyone other than your lawyer no matter if they are someone close to you or not.
Do Not Discuss Accident Or Liability With Anybody Else
Many times an insurance company will try to get you to discuss the accident with them before you have talked to your lawyer. Do not fall victim to this ploy, no matter how much pressure is put on you. You could risk incriminating yourself or providing the other party’s insurance company with information that could help them win their case against you. If possible, talk to your lawyer before discussing anything with anyone else associated with the accident. Most importantly, do not ever agree to settle out of court until you have spoken with a legal professional about what would be best for your situation.
Do Not Accept Any Settlement Offers Without Consulting A Lawyer
If somebody tries to make a settlement out of court and it is not through their insurance company, they probably have a strong case and will want to settle as quickly and cheaply as possible. This is not something you should consider doing, no matter how desperately you may need the money. Instead, do some research on personal injury lawyers in your area and contact them for advice on what to do if somebody tries to make an out-of-court settlement with you. The importance of consulting a lawyer before accepting any offer or before you sign anything cannot be stressed enough.
File A Claim As Soon As Possible
The moment you and your lawyer decide that you have a case, you should file a claim. This is especially important if the accident occurred in another country. If you do not file your claim within the time limit set by law, it will be thrown out of court, and too late to pursue any legal action against the other party at all. You could receive up to three times as much money if you win your case. However, you must file within the time frame allowed for your particular situation or risk losing out on everything. To file your claim, usually, all you need to do is document everything related to the accident with an official report and then take that report to a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to help you file the paperwork necessary for dealing with any legal matters regarding your case.
Accidents are vicious things that require the help of an educated and trained professional to help you through the process of filing claims, offering advice on how to proceed, and what your legal options are. By making sure you take the above-mentioned legal advice and have an experienced lawyer by your side before making any decisions regarding your accident, you are likely to have everything go in your favor.
