Although there are in excess of three million car accidents in the U.S. annually, no one expects to be involved in a motor vehicle collision when they leave home. An unanticipated Mississippi traffic accident often means that a driver is unprepared when disaster strikes. The aftermath of a collision is a stressful time full of confusion and often physical pain, which makes it a bad time to consider what to do unless you have thought thing through beforehand. We often receive questions about appropriate steps in the aftermath of a collision so we have provided some answers to frequently asked questions. While the information below provides basic guidance regarding common questions that injury victims have after a Mississippi motor vehicle accident, the best way to gain more specific information is to contact an experienced Mississippi auto accident lawyer at Barrett Law.
What should I do at the accident scene?
The first thing to do is to assess your injuries and take a deep breath. A car accident can badly rattle someone so it is best to try to remain calm and determine if you or anyone with you is injured. If anyone is injured or remains in danger, the first priority is to make sure to summon police and emergency medical services. It is also a good idea to preserve any evidence that you can by securing the names of witnesses, using your phone to take pictures of injuries as well as vehicle positions and damage and securing the other driver’s license and insurance information. When the officer arrives at the scene, it is advisable to communicate how the other driver caused the accident.
Do I need to go the doctor if I suffer only minimal injuries?
This is a loaded question because it can be very difficult to assess one’s injuries following a Mississippi car accident. While you may think you have only a minor bump on the head or soreness in the back or neck, these symptoms can hide severe injuries to the head, neck and back. Many serious conditions suffered in Mississippi car accidents do not manifest significant injuries immediately. Even if you think your injuries are only minor, it is advisable to have yourself checked out. A doctor will have access to diagnostic tools that can both provide more prompt treatment and preserve evidence of the injuries that you suffered in your collision.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster for the other driver?
Many Mississippi drivers make the mistake of assuming that they can wait on hiring a Mississippi car accident lawyer until they find out what settlement the insurance company for the other driver might offer. This is never a good idea because while you are waiting to obtain assistance from a legal professional the insurance company is diligently building a defense designed to deny you recovery or substantially reduce the value of your Mississippi car accident claim. The insurance adjuster may engage in a variety of tactics designed to induce you to compromise your Mississippi car accident claim including:
- Stalling so that you fail to comply with the statute of limitations or other timing requirement
- Trick you into giving a recorded statement or making damaging statements
- Delay to allow critical evidence or witnesses to disappear
- Deceive you regarding the value of your claim
An injury victim must always be aware that the insurance company for the other driver has one goal to avoid paying you the full value of your claim. It is always advisable to avoid direct communication with the insurance company, and you should never sign anything without legal advice.
What should I look for in a car accident law firm to represent me in handling my Mississippi car accident claim?
The best personal injury law firms in Mississippi have been practicing personal injury law for many years and limit their practice to personal injury. Successful litigation of car accidents in Mississippi requires extensive resources and experience. A general practice firm may lack the specialized expertise that comes with a law firm that limits its practice to personal injury law. A firm that has a long history of practicing personal injury law will typically be successful as evidenced by the law firm’s long tenure.
If you suffer serious injury in a car crash, our experienced Mississippi car accident lawyers at Barrett Law have been fighting for the right of motor vehicle accident victims for over seven decades. If you have question beyond those answered above, we invite you to contact us and speak to one of our knowledgeable Mississippi car accident litigation team. The experienced Mississippi car accident injury attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing tenacious representation to personal injury victims for over 75 years. We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.