Most People Don’t Know What to Do After an Auto Accident and It Can Be Costly
We’ve all heard the phrase, “knowledge is power” and it’s one that holds especially true when it comes to driver safety. More than 20 million people are injured in auto accidents each year and most of them don’t know what to do if they happen to be involved in one. It’s just one of those things that people think can’t possibly happen to them.
While no one is ever fully prepared for an auto accident, Scott Monge, Founder of the Monge & Associates law firm says that understanding common themes and statistics can help people avoid auto accidents and knowing what to do in the event of an accident can actually help them earn more money in court.
Monge explains saying, “Most accidents occur because a driver was disobeying the rules of the law and through that negligence, they cause injuries to both other drivers, and damages to vehicles and/or property. By understanding the steps to take to document evidence and obey the law, victims can maximize the compensation they are awarded in court.”
If you are involved in an accident, the first thing you should do is check yourself and your passengers for injuries and then move to a safe space (if possible). The second thing you should do is call 9-1-1 and exchange documentation with the other drivers. From there, as you wait for help to arrive, go ahead and take as many pictures of the damage as possible.
Pull up a notepad in your phone and jot down all of the details of the crash. The more details and evidence that are present, the better off you will be in court.
According to Monge, the type of compensation that can come as a result of an auto accident includes:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income/wages and productivity
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Rehabilitation expenses and any assistance devices, like wheelchairs or walkers
- Emotional distress
If you or a loved one suffers as a result of a motor vehicle accident, it’s imperative that you understand the compensation that is owed by law. Monge and Associates can help.