If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance the accident happened recently, hours, days, or maybe a few weeks ago. You were just going about your day when another driver brought everything to a halt and left you with questions about what comes next.
At Nicolet Law, we talk to people in this position every day. While every case is different, there are steps you can take to move forward with more clarity and confidence. To talk with a qualified, compassionate car accident lawyer about the specifics of your case, dial 1-855-NICOLET or use our contact form. We offer free consultations, and you only pay if we win compensation for you. We are proud to serve Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa.
Key Takeaways
- Get medical care even if you feel fine
- Start gathering evidence like the accident report, your medical exams, and any other documentation related to the crash
- Insurance companies may pressure you to settle quickly– but their offers are notoriously low
- If you feel overwhelmed and anxious, you are not alone
- An attorney can help handle your claim while you focus on recovery
Get Medical Care, Even If Time Has Passed
We can’t overstate how important it is to seek medical care.
If you’re not in serious pain, that can feel like a relief. While we welcome opportunities to look on the bright side, this bright side is still worth a check-in at the doctor’s office. Injuries are easy to underestimate.
Adrenaline can mask pain, and even if the initial rush of adrenaline has passed, it can still hide the full extent of your symptoms for days afterward.
Common delayed injuries include:
- Neck and back injuries
- Muscle and soft tissue damage
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
A medical professional can help identify issues early and document your injuries. You may think it’s obvious that your car accident caused your injuries, but without the documentation needed to prove that link, the insurance company may have room to argue otherwise.
They say time heals all wounds, but an untreated injury may not only linger, it can also get far more severe. An attorney can work with medical professionals to keep track of your symptoms and your treatment.
If You’re Worried You Made a Mistake at the Scene
Accidents are sudden and stressful. Your brain focuses on getting to safety, not making perfect decisions.
That means:
- You may look back and wonder why you did what you did
- You may struggle to remember certain details
Some car accident victims cannot remember their accident at all.
So if you are surprised and frustrated that you cannot answer certain questions, know that you’re not alone.
At Nicolet Law, we advise people to do the following immediately after an accident:
- Get to safety
- Call 911
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Take pictures of the scene if possible, and gather witness contact information
- Avoid saying anything that could be taken as an admission of guilt (even “I’m sorry”)
- Notify your insurance, but reach out to an attorney before an adjuster calls you with further questions.
If you did not do all of the items on this list, that is okay, you can still call us to talk about your options. Our car accident attorneys know that accident scenes are overwhelming, and they have experience gathering crucial evidence.
Be Careful With Insurance Companies And Their Offers
Even if the car accident wasn’t your fault, the insurance company will be looking to limit what they have to pay.
When insurance adjusters ask you questions:
- Provide only basic details and do NOT speculate on anything
- Decline to give a recorded statement if you are speaking to the at-fault driver’s insurance
Do not underestimate an insurance adjuster’s ability to twist your statements and undermine your story.
Don’t Accept a Settlement Until You Know What You Need
A quick offer from the insurance company may seem tempting when you’re facing financial pressure from medical bills and lost wages, but don’t sign anything yet.
Before accepting anything, make sure:
- You understand the full extent of your injuries
- Medical treatment is complete or clearly planned
- All costs are accounted for, not just immediate bills
That quick offer rarely accounts for the full cost of an accident. At Nicolet Law, we make it a priority to fully investigate these details so that accident victims can see how expensive their recovery will likely be. Earlier in this blog, we said injuries are easy to underestimate, and the same thing applies to recovery costs.
Once you sign a recovery agreement, the case is closed, and you cannot seek any additional compensation in the future. An attorney can help you understand if a recovery agreement is worth it.
Gather and Organize Your Information
Before we get into this information, know that when you work with an attorney, they can help seek out, gather, and organize evidence and information surrounding your case.
A strong claim depends on clear documentation that shows someone else’s negligence directly caused the accident that directly led to your injury. The following evidence can play a crucial role:
- The police report of the accident
- Photos/videos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness accounts
- Medical bills and doctor’s notes
- Any other invoices, receipts, or cost estimates
Keeping everything in one place is advisable.
It is also important to keep track of how the accident is affecting your everyday life. Do what you can to document things like:
- Missed work or reduced hours
- Difficulty sleeping or doing daily tasks
- Pain that limits normal activities
- Ongoing stress or discomfort
These details help show the full scope of what you’ve been through.
Frequently Asked Questions After a Car Accident
What do I do after a car accident that wasn’t my fault?
If you were in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, seek medical assistance, gather evidence related to your accident, don’t sign anything from the insurance company, and reach out to an attorney for further guidance.
What if I can’t remember all the details of my accident?
It is completely normal not to remember all the details of your accident. In moments of stress, your brain goes into fight-or-flight mode, making it harder to form new memories. You can still reach out to an attorney to talk about your case.
How do I know if the insurance offer is worth it?
Whether or not an insurance offer is worth it depends on how much you need to recover. A car accident attorney can help evaluate what the total cost of your accident will be. The first offer the insurance company makes will more than likely not cover that cost.
Get In A Car Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault? Call A Car Accident Attorney Today
A car accident can add a significant amount of stress on top of what you’re already stressed about in your daily life. At Nicolet Law, we hope that this blog has been helpful, but we know you may still have questions. Here are a few resources that may help:
How Much Can I Expect From A Car Accident Settlement
Unlocking Your Case: Understanding The Four Elements Of A Negligent Driver Claim
Who Pays Medical Bills In A Car Accident
However, there is no substitute for personalized legal advice. At Nicolet Law, our attorneys are ready to talk to you about your situation and how the accident has impacted you. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis.That means your first in-person conversation with a Nicolet Law attorney is completely free, no strings attached. If Nicolet Law represents your case, you will only pay legal fees if we win compensation for you. Call 1-855-NICOLET or use our contact form to reach out. We are proud to serve Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Iowa.