You may be wondering whether or not it is necessary to contact a lawyer following a minor accident. Even if an accident seems minor, you should generally lean on the side of hiring a lawyer. You can sustain major injuries even in a minor accident. It is important to at least contact a Las Vegas car accident lawyer for a free consultation if you are injured in a crash.
You should never leave the scene of an accident, even if the vehicle damage and personal injuries seem insignificant to you. You should call the police and report the accident before leaving the scene. Once you leave the accident scene, it becomes difficult to collect evidence and establish facts.
Hidden Injuries
Let’s say a car hits your vehicle’s rear end while you are stopped at a red light. You and the other driver seem fine and have no visible injuries. You decide to get out of the intersection before you inconvenience other drivers. Should you allow yourself to be checked for injuries?
Even if you do not appear injured immediately following an accident, you should still seek medical attention. You could sustain injuries that take several hours or days to appear after the collision.
The following are common injuries that occur in car accidents:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries to the spleen, kidneys, liver, and abdomen
- Ruptured diaphragm
- Punctured lung
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains to muscles and ligaments
- Emotional and psychological injuries
Injuries can range from mild to life-altering. If you are not evaluated by a medical professional following an accident, it can be difficult to determine the severity of the harm you suffered. Failing to make a police report or inform your insurance company of the car accident can make it difficult to file a personal injury claim.
The Other Driver
You should always exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver involved in the accident. Also, reporting the accident to the police can help protect you if the other driver files a claim against you. The other driver may exaggerate or report false information in their claim against you. Having a police report allows for facts to more accurately reflect what occurred at the accident scene.
Be careful when providing a description of what occurred for the police report. You should never admit fault for the accident, even if you believe that you are at fault. While you may have contributed to the accident occurring, it is possible that the other driver is also at fault.
Nevada is a modified comparative negligence state. Even if you were also at fault for the car accident, you may still pursue compensation. If you are more than 50% responsible for the accident, however, then you will be barred from recovering damages.
What To Do After a Minor Car Accident
Even a minor car accident can have major repercussions. It is essential to understand what to do following an accident.
The following are steps to take after a car accident:
- Exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver
- Take photos and videos of all of the cars that were involved in the accident
- Call the police and file a police report
- Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you may have sustained
- Call a car accident lawyer before providing a statement to an insurance company
After an accident occurs, you will likely need to file a claim with an insurance company. The insurance company may offer you a settlement after determining that their client was at fault. Unfortunately, this initial settlement offer may not be enough to cover your vehicle damages or any personal injuries you suffer.
You should not accept a settlement offer without first consulting with a car accident lawyer. If you accept the insurance settlement, you will likely be giving up the right to sue for further damages related to the accident. An attorney can help you avoid accepting a low offer and get you the best compensation possible.
The following are things you should avoid doing after a car accident:
- Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it to the police: Having a police report will help your subsequent personal injury claim. Leaving the scene before getting a police report can hurt your chances of recovering compensation.
- Failing to gather evidence at the scene of the accident: Take pictures and videos, get contact information for any witnesses, and gather witness statements. It is important to gather as much information as you can at the accident scene.
- Admitting fault: You should never admit that you are at fault for an accident. You may not know who is at fault and may be unnecessarily assigning blame to yourself.
- Not seeking medical attention: If you are injured after an accident, seek immediate medical attention. You may not notice injuries immediately. As symptoms develop, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. It can be difficult to get compensated for injuries if you wait too long to seek treatment.
- Failing to understand insurance companies’ motives: You may be in an adversarial relationship with an insurance company. When you make a claim, the insurance company will want to settle for the least amount of money possible.
- Not reviewing the police report: The police report may not accurately reflect what you recall from the accident. You should review the police report for any inaccuracies. Make your voice heard if you notice any issues with the police report.
- Accepting the first settlement check offered: The initial offer from an insurance company will likely be low. If an insurance company sends you a settlement check, do not cash it before speaking with a car accident lawyer.
- Attempting to settle your own case: Hiring a car accident lawyer can help you get a larger settlement. If you are in a car accident, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible.
It’s best to speak with an attorney about your legal options before corresponding with any insurance companies.
Most Car Accident Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Do not forgo getting legal help due to cost concerns. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that your lawyer only gets paid if your case is successful. Ultimately, it’s almost always worth your time to reach out for a free case evaluation from a car accident attorney following a car accident.
Contact Our Las Vegas Personal Injury Law Firm For Help Today
If you’ve been injured in Las Vegas, NV, and need legal help contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers by calling (702) 222-9999 to schedule a free case evaluation today.
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
1149 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV. 89104
(702) 222-9999
Open 24 Hours
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Summerlin Office
410 S Rampart Blvd, Ste 480 Las Vegas, NV. 89145
(702) 297-6373
Open 24 Hours
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
9555 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV. 89123
(702) 997-4264
Open 24 Hours