Injured in a Car Accident? Follow these 12 Tips to Boost Your Compensation

By TragicInjury Updated / Reviewed Sep 16, 2020. Category: Auto Accidents

Here’s what you need to know to strengthen your insurance claim after being injured in a car accident. Get the compensation you deserve.

From congested city streets to lonesome country roads, more than 2 million people are injured each year in vehicle accidents on U.S. roadways.¹

Nobody likes to think about being in a car crash, but for most of us, it’s bound to happen sooner or later. The average American driver can expect to be three or four accident during their lifetime.²

If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim to be compensated for your damages from the crash.

Damages for injury claims can include:

Medical bills
Out-of-pocket expenses
Lost wages
Pain and Suffering

What to Do At the Accident Scene

Tip 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911

If you are physically able, check any passengers in your car and the occupants of the other vehicle for injuries. Then call 911, even if the cars aren’t badly damaged.

Don’t let the other driver talk you out of calling 911. Don’t agree to any arrangements with the other driver, even if they beg you not to call police or to leave the insurance company out of it.

Tell the 911 dispatcher:

Your location, including nearby landmarks
If you or anyone else is injured, was thrown from the car, or is trapped in the wreckage
About any dangers at the scene, like leaking fuel or overturned cars

Tip 2: Watch What You Say

While waiting for help to arrive, make a reasonable effort to comfort the injured. Avoid making any statements that can be used against you later, such as, “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you.”

Never admit to fault, even if you think you made a mistake. Keeping quiet is not dishonest. The truth is, you don’t have enough information about all the factors, including what the other driver did or didn’t do, that contributed to the accident.

In many states, you are entitled to injury compensation from the other driver’s insurance company even if you are partially to blame for the crash.

Tip 3: Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

Some injuries are painfully obvious, like bleeding cuts and broken bones. Other injuries can be difficult to see and potentially life-threatening, like traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding.

This isn’t the time to be brave. Never refuse medical treatment at the scene.

Don’t make excuses or joke about your symptoms. Tell emergency responders about every symptom, even if you think it’s mild like a headache or blurry vision. If paramedics want to transport you to the hospital, go with them.

If you weren’t taken directly to the hospital from the scene, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident, preferably the same day. If your personal medical provider isn’t available, go the nearest emergency department or urgent care center.

Refusing or delaying medical treatment can seriously undermine your injury claim. The insurance company will jump at the chance to deny your claim, arguing that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.