With the wild spring weather that’s been gripping the province and certain areas of the nation, hundreds of motor vehicles have been involved in road related accidents. The damages from these collisions has varied significantly, keeping insurance companies, autobody shops, first responders, medical professionals, and lawyers busy.
While the weather played a significant role in a lot of collisions, that will not necessarily stop people from suing other drivers to get compensation for their medical and personal needs. Legal action can be very costly, putting people in major financial debt. If you have been in an accident, it is important to protect yourself from litigation, so you will not lose everything because of the crash. Here are some things you should do to protect yourself and your assets.
1. Have the Right Insurance
While purchasing auto insurance is mandatory to operate a motor vehicle, many people try to save money by buying the cheapest insurance option they can get. That inexpensive policy might save you in the short term, but it can cost you more in the long run. When purchasing coverage, it is better to get the best plan you can, so you are completely covered should an infraction occur.
2. Take Pictures
Photographic and video images provide hard-to-dispute evidence that can protect you in court while helping law enforcement during their investigation. Many drivers have installed dash cams, so they can video record everything that occurs while on the roadway for this very reason. It is difficult to dispute filmed footage of an accident.
When involved in an altercation, make sure to take lots of pictures of the post collision scene, vehicles involved, location and make, model, plates of autos involved. The more images captured, the better.
3. Get the Police Involved
If the accident is serious enough, call the police and first responders immediately. If the crash is less serious, make sure you make a police report immediately. A police report is a legal document of the events that could be used to verify your information.
4. See Your Doctor
Make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible to get checked for any injuries. Visiting a medical professional will verify any harm, provide accurate and detailed reports of injuries sustained, and start a treatment plan.
5. Keep Records
Keep all detailed records of everything that happened before, during, and after the incident. Make sure you note times, name, dates, conversations, appointments, and other relevant data that could help you in court.
6. Get Witness Information
If there are witnesses to the collision, try to get their names and contact information. While a lot of people do not like to come forward and provide that data, try to obtain the data anyway. Witnesses can verify what happened.
7. See a Lawyer
Should you be involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to seek legal advice sooner rather than later. Most lawyers offer free legal counselling and can let you know quickly what your rights are and what you will need should there be a lawsuit. They can also clarify the law and how it works and what your next steps should be. The sooner you contact an accident lawyer, the better prepared you will be should there be court action.
Car accidents are an unfortunate and serious occurrence that can cause physical, mental, emotional, and financial harm. With the unpredictable spring weather, we have seen hundreds of accidents occur already with the potential of more arising. If you are involved in a roadway crash, see a lawyer to find out what your rights are.