Have You or Someone You Know Been in a Car Accident Recently?
Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation!
1-833-FOR APPT (367-2778)
Ohio Therapy Centers Treats Injuries resulting from Car Accidents for Patients in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Brooklyn, Euclid, Elyria, and Surrounding Areas
If you have recently been in a car accident in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Stark, or Summit Counties in Ohio, we would like to offer our services for an evaluation and possible treatment of any injuries that you may have incurred due to this unfortunate incident.
After a car accident, people often need attention beyond the emergency room care, but fail to seek treatment because many times symptoms subside after a few days.
Many times symptoms do not present themselves immediately following an accident but may surface weeks, months, or even years later.
Did you know that whiplash can happen at ONLY 10 MPH?!
Impact injuries even at low speeds can often cause severe damage to the spine, or damage surrounding muscles and ligaments. The video above illustrates the potential complications that commonly occur in car accidents.
10 Helpful Tips for After a Car Accident
– Car Accident Tip #1 –
Do not admit fault at the scene.
Statements made at the scene can be used as evidence. State laws require you exchange insurance information and cooperate with any police investigation.
– Car Accident Tip #2 –
File an accident report
State law requires a report be filed if an injury occurs or damage to a vehicle exceeds $500.
– Car Accident Tip #3 –
Report the accident to your insurance agent
Your insurance company can refuse to protect you if the accident isn’t reported promptly.
– Car Accident Tip #4 –
Ask your insurance agent about benefits available to you under your own policy
You may have coverage for car repair, rental cars, wage loss or medical bills under your policy. These benefits can be used while you wait to settle your claim with the other driver. Using these benefits will not raise your insurance rates if the accident wasn’t your fault.
– Car Accident Tip #5 –
Cooperate with your insurance company
They may need to record your version of how the accident happened. They may want to inspect your car and speak with your doctors. Refusing to cooperate with your company may cause you to lose benefits.
– Car Accident Tip #6 –
Do not, under any circumstances, sign documents for the other driver or their insurance company without seeking legal advice
Valuable rights can be lost and you may even lose benefits under your own policy by signing.
– Car Accident Tip #7 –
Do not, under any circumstances, give a recorded or written statement to the other driver or their insurance company
Lawyers uniformly advise against letting someone record your voice. No state laws require you to do so. Even if you have nothing to hide these statements can be taken out of context and used against you later.
– Car Accident Tip #8 –
Promptly seek medical care and follow your doctor’s advice
If you are injured, a failure to seek medical care and follow your doctor’s advice can hurt your claim.
– Car Accident Tip #9 –
Document your medical bills and any time off work
If you decide to make a claim against the other driver, you will need documentation supporting your losses.
– Car Accident Tip #10 –
Seek legal advice early
Still have questions?
We can help!
CALL US TODAY at
1-833-367-2778
First Steps Following A Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be scary, but it’s important to keep calm.
Your first steps following a car accident can affect the reimbursement that you get from your car insurance company if you file a claim.
Continue reading below to find out the best ways to deal with a car accident that results in bodily injury.
Seek Medical Attention After Your Car Accident
See a doctor immediately after your car accident. Although you may feel fine now or think your injuries aren’t very serious, symptoms such as the following can appear days after the car accident:
- Pain
- Discomfort
- Dizziness
- Numbness
Getting medical attention quickly isn’t just the best thing for your health; it also strengthens your personal injury claim.
If you wait several days or weeks after the car accident to seek medical attention, it will be harder to prove that your injuries were the result of the car accident.
Take Detailed Notes and Photos
Take detailed notes on your injuries and medical treatment to help you get full reimbursement from the insurance company. Jot down the names and addresses of any of the following that you visit:
- Doctors
- Chiropractors
- Physical therapists
- Other professionals you were referred to after the accident
Keep receipts for medications you were prescribed or any assistive devices such as crutches that were needed.
Also, keep the following records:
- A journal or daily diary about your injuries and medical care.
- Be specific about everything, and include such details as the degree of pain and any inconveniences you experience from your injuries.
- File every form of correspondence you had with medical professionals during the course of treatment for your injuries.
- This includes e-mails and notes that you record during and after telephone calls and doctor’s appointments.
- Save all of your medical bills and receipts.
- This includes prescriptions, special equipment (crutches, walkers, canes), special foods, and co-payments.
- Keep track of travel expenses for medical appointments.
To strengthen your claim, record the following:
- Information about the car accident.
- Snap pictures of the accident location, making sure to include stop signs and traffic lights, if applicable.
- Photos of your car’s damage.
- Don’t limit it to one or two shots. Take several pictures from every angle, making sure to snap close-ups and long distance shots.
- Proof of financial losses, such as lost wages and opportunities.
- Names and contact information of witnesses.
Photos of Your Injuries
Ask a friend to take pictures of your injuries.
If you have trouble getting a settlement from the insurance company or you decide to hire a personal injury attorney, photos will be valuable evidence for your case.
What NOT to Do
Do NOT Admit Fault!
You may be inclined to apologize for the car accident when you are at the scene or admit fault to your car insurance agent. However, doing so can seriously jeopardize your claim.
Instead of assuming the blame for a car accident:
- Get a police report.
- Give a detailed description of the car accident, along with photos.
Even if you believe you might have been fully or partially at fault, don’t say to the other party, your passengers, witnesses, or your car insurance company that you were to blame. Instead, provide an honest report of what happened and let the insurance companies determine the details.
Avoid Other Missteps
Even if you are entitled to reimbursement, a few mistakes can jeopardize your personal injury claim. The following tips can help you get a fair settlement for your claim:
- Don’t settle until you have completed all of your medical treatment and your injuries are as healed as they are going to get. Otherwise, you don’t know the total cost of your injuries.
- Don’t sign release forms or checks with releases on them before you’re ready to settle completely.
- Signing such forms can release your car insurance company from the responsibility of paying on additional claims.
- Don’t talk to people about the case unless you need to.
- Don’t cave in to pressure not to file a police report.
Consider a Personal Injury Attorney
If you feel you need help navigating your injury claim, you may wish to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Personal injury attorneys are experienced in dealing with these claims and can help you understand your rights and get the highest amount possible for your claim. In the event that you have a dispute over your claim, an attorney can be a valuable asset if you end up in mediation or in court.
Sign Up or Call NOW to get the following:
FREE COPY of your car accident police report
FREE NO-OBLIGATION medical evaluation
FREE NO-OBLIGATION consultation with an experienced injury lawyer