If you are involved in a car crash and have suffered injuries, getting immediate medical attention is always the first priority. However, once your condition is stable and you are under a doctor's care, you should follow up with an experienced and knowledgeable Indianapolis car accident attorney as soon as possible. Delaying this important step could cost you valuable time and money.
What a Car Accident Attorney Can Do
If you were not injured in the crash but the other driver was at fault, you can file a claim for property damage with his or her insurance company on your own. However, if serious injuries are involved, you will want an experienced car accident attorney on your side. The sooner an attorney is on the case, the easier it will be for him to take the following important steps:
- Securing evidence from the scene. Pictures of the scene, police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements will be vital if liability is contested. This evidence needs to be collected as soon as possible after a crash and you will not be able to do it yourself if you are in the hospital.
- Locating witnesses. An attorney’s investigator will be able to track down possible witnesses from nearby businesses or those who left the scene once the accident was cleared. Their statements could be important to your claim.
- Dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies will work quickly in their attempt to reduce the value of your claim. They do this by taking recorded statements that may damage your claim, asking you to sign authorizations, and pressuring you into signing away your rights. Having a personal injury attorney on your side from the beginning helps to ensure these things are less likely to happen.