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Getting into a car accident in Portland can be jarring. Not only do you have to deal with your injuries, but your car might also need repairs. Perhaps other items of yours were damaged, too. Now what? Should you file a claim with the insurance company and be done with it?
Find out what to do following your car accident and how you should interact with the insurance company.
What to Do After Your Accident
After your accident in Portland, the first thing you should do is call the police and file a police report. Be as truthful and accurate as possible, even if you think you’re at fault – you might not be.
Make sure that while you’re on the scene of the accident, you take photos of it, as well as photos of the other driver’s license plate, license, and damage to your belongings as well as visible injuries.
If there are witnesses, ask them for witness statements and their contact info, in case you need to follow up later. Also, write down what happened so that you can reference it later.
If the other driver offers you a cash settlement, don’t accept it. Instead, tell them you’ll be talking to the insurance company. If you take a cash settlement, you won’t be able to collect more from the insurance company later on.
Once you wrap up at the scene, go to the hospital for treatment for your injuries. Get X-rays just in case – even if you think you don’t need them. Stay on top of your treatment and follow your doctor’s orders to show that your injuries are serious, and you’re serious about getting better.
Filing a Claim With Insurance After an Accident
It’s important to file a claim with your insurance. However, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer before doing this. And, it’s critical not to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. They could use it against you to try to claim that you are responsible for the accident.
Working With a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company for you so that you don’t have to. They will work hard to get you the settlement you deserve, so you can focus on getting better – which is the most important thing you need to be doing at this time.
Additionally, your lawyer will only charge you a fee if they can get you a settlement. This means that if your lawyer takes on your case, they believe they will be successful. It’s a win-win situation.
Oftentimes, insurance companies will offer you a low settlement – or no settlement at all – when you get injured in a car accident. But you can fight back with the help of a lawyer and get the settlement that’s rightfully yours to cover your damages like medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and more. Get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer today to learn how they can help you.
Contact Zbinden & Curtis Today
Zbinden & Curtis, a Portland personal injury law firm, cares about accident victims, and we’re ready to assist you if you were in a car accident in Portland. We fight tooth and nail for our clients to get them the settlement they deserve in their time of need. Contact us today to learn more by calling (503) 287-5000 or contacting us on our website for a free case evaluation. We look forward to assisting you.
