Are you searching for what to do if you are injured in a car accident in Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Orange County, LA or the inland empire? What steps should you take to ensure the best possible outcome in your personal injury case?
The first and most important thing is to see a doctor, visit the urgent care or your primary care physician within 24 to 48 hours of the accident. If you do not see a doctor after the accident you will not be able to recovery any amount from the responsible insurance company for your injuries. Most injury victims do not realize that it can take weeks and in some cases months for symptoms to present when you are injured in a car accident. Many who feel ok after an accident suffer an onset of painful symptoms three or four weeks after the accident. This is why it is so important to see a doctor within 48 hours of any motor vehicle collision or accident.
The forces associated with a car crash are actually quite severe, and it can take a while for the human body to display all of the actual damage it sustained in the accident. One example is the discs in your vertebrae. These discs are thin “pads” which protect the vertebrae and allow you to flex your back and neck without the bones rubbing together. Car accidents often result in small tears or “herniation” of these discs. The internal fluid in your discs may take a few weeks to leak out of these tears before painful symptoms begin to show. Ultimately the pain and immobilization can cause you to miss several weeks of work and require extensive medical treatment and physical therapy.
Another example is associated with the affects of hitting your head against the side support, steering column, dashboard, window or windshield. You may never lose consciousness or appear to have any symptoms in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Over the next several months your family and friends may start to notice subtle changes in your behavior or personality which are implications of a brain injury.
Knowing what to do if you are injured in a car accident can help to protect your valid personal injury claim and ensure you receive the best possible settlement in your case. Another important concept most people who are injured in an accident don’t realize is the insurance company is not on your side. I know this for a fact. How? I represented the major insurance companies in personal injury cases for the first 20 years of my career. I know their tactics, their strategies, as well as the real job of every insurance company representative, including your own: To get you to settle your personal injury case as quickly as possible for the lowest amount they can get you to accept. It is never in your interest to speak with an insurance representative before calling our office for a free consultation at 949-305-1400.
Insurance representatives are highly trained experts who will go above and beyond to settle the damage claim on your car to gain your trust. The amount it costs to fix your car is almost always less than 10% of what it will cost to fix your body in most personal injury claims. They focus on the car to get you think they’ll treat your medical claims in the same manner. Don’t fall for this. You need an experienced, personal injury attorney to handle all communications and to ensure you receive full, fair and just compensation for all medical expenses, past present and future, as well as compensation for any lost wages due to missed work, and the experience of having to suffer and endure your injuries and recovery.
Finally, seek the advice of our personal injury attorneys if you are concerned about what to do if you are injured in a car accident. Rivers Morrell has more than 40 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer and provides an extensive and free consultation. Learn what to expect and how to handle the insurance adjusters and medical bills which are sure to follow.
If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident in Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Orange County, LA or the inland empire we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and the legal industry as well as our successful verdicts and settlements and contact Rivers Morrell or call today to speak with Rivers personally for a free, substantive consultation at (949) 305-1400.
