What to Do Following a Car Accident in Quincy

Also Serving Clients throughout Norfolk County

The aftermath of a car collision can leave you feeling helpless, in pain and unsure of your next step. Even if you have only sustained scrapes, whiplash or other seemingly minor damage, it is absolutely essential that you seek legal assistance. Next to seeing a doctor, talking with a car accident attorney should be one of the first things you do following an accident. At Flanagan & Associates, it is our primary goal to calm your concerns and work with you towards obtaining compensation for your car accident injuries.

What Should My First Steps Be After a Car Collision?

Actions that are taken immediately after an accident can be critical to the overall success of the car accident claim. It is important that you obtain the necessary information and refrain from certain actions to help protect yourself from incrimination in case the other party tries to place blame on you.

• Seek out medical attention - This is probably the most vital step you can take in the immediate aftermath. By calling 911, emergency response teams can be alerted to your accident and come to make sure that everyone involved is safe from harm. If you or other people involved experienced potentially life-altering injuries, the faster you get medical help the better chance there is for full recovery. Never assume that you fine without allowing a trained physician to check out potential harm. You might not be able to recognize internal damage or be unaware of the drastic nature of your injuries on your own. This step could also play a critical role in the amount of financial assistance you receive later down the road.
• Call the police - Despite what anyone else says at the scene of the accident, always call the police. Some individuals may be wary if they do not have insurance, were driving under the influence, or committing some other illegal action, but it is wise to have a police report. Once an officer puts down all of the pertinent accident details into a police report, you can rely on that documentation later on in your case as a reliable way of looking at the facts. Never admit any fault or take blame for anything while at the scene, even if you think it is harmless. Everything that you say and do could be noted in the police report and used against your claim.
• Obtain an attorney - As soon as you have taken care of yourself and ensured the safety of all those involved, contact your personal injury lawyer. Having a competent attorney with you from the very beginning of your case can be greatly beneficial. Not only can a legal representative negotiate with your insurance provider and the other party's insurer, they can look at the details of your case to determine an accurate view of the restitution you deserve. Insurance companies will try to oust you out of proper payment, but a lawyer can support you and protect your rights against bad faith insurance practices. Especially in cases of severe injury, you will most likely need a qualified lawyer at your side so that you can obtain the medical testimony that you need to prove your claim.
• Get in touch with your insurance provider - Only after you have consulted with you attorney should you contact your insurance company. Provide them with the facts they need, but do not admit any guilt, as they could use this to deny or minimize your claim payment. It is also a good idea to get a written statement of what you tell them, that way you have a paper trail and they cannot deny that you contacted them. In every state there is a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, meaning that there is a set time period when an individual can pursue an injury claim. After that date is over, the claim is no longer valid. Massachusetts' statute of limitation for these types of cases is 3 years from the date of the injury, according to the general law. Contact our firm if you are unsure of the status of your case.

Obtaining the Proper Information

With the ability to make or break your personal injury case, the information you collect in the aftermath of your accident is highly significant. Taking a lot of photographs after a collision is always a smart idea, as this is as close to physical proof as you can get when you are trying to prove liability. Capture images of the intersection, any signage, obstructions in the road, the positioning of the vehicles after the incident and any other pertinent information. Also it is a good idea to take a picture of the other driver's license and their plates.

Writing down certain documentation is critical if you are going to try to file a claim against them for any damages. Make sure that you write down the full names of the other driver, any passengers and all surrounding witnesses if you can. Gather their phone numbers and email addresses as well so that you can get in contact with them during your case. Take note of the intersection and street names that the accident occurred at, which emergency services showed up, what their station number is, the name of the ambulance company, names of any medical professionals and any other data you think could be important. Lastly, do not forget to exchange insurance information with the other party, including their policy number, the provider's name, and phone number.

No Fees Unless We Get Results

When faced with injuries after a car accident, you may feel like you just want to settle your case quickly and move on without pursuing legal recourse. While this may be tempting, it is important to realize that without taking action, you will most likely end up paying for all of your medical expenses and have to deal with any time you lost at work all on your own. This can be financially taxing and be the cause of other problems for you and your family.

Allowing an aggressive and reputable Quincy personal injury lawyer to guide you through the legal process could make all the difference in the settlement you receive. Protect yourself from deceptive insurance providers and attain the monetary assistance you deserve. Attorney Dave Flanagan is a former insurance adjuster and he understands the complex issues associated with claims. With this experience, he can help keep you from being exploited by your insurance provider and work towards a favorable outcome.

If you choose to work with our office, you will not have to worry about paying for any legal fees unless we win on your behalf. Additionally we offer a free case evaluation so that we can take a look at your case in a confidential and risk-free manner. You have nothing to lose by contacting us as we will even come travel to you to make this process as easy on you as possible. We serve the cities of Quincy, Boston, Weymouth, Hingham and the entire South Shore area.

Available 24/7 to answer your questions and come to your aid, don't hesitate to contact our office at (781) 218-3760 to learn more!