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How Do I File a Claim For an Auto Accident in Arkansas?

Posted: Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at 10:43 pm

How Do I File a Claim For an Auto Accident in Arkansas?

Whether you’re in Arkansas or somewhere else, it’s never a good day when you are involved in an auto accident. State laws vary greatly as to what to do after an accident, so sometimes it’s difficult to know how to proceed. After you make sure there are no injuries and take care of everything that needs to be handled at the scene, it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney for most accidents. An attorney can help you decide what the best course of action is based on the specifics of your case. However, here are some basic steps that you might want to go through after an accident occurs.

Check For Injuries

Obviously, the first thing you want to do is check for injuries at the scene. Make sure that you and everyone else involved is okay. Call medical attention as soon as possible if it’s necessary. Don’t neglect to find or give medical attention. Doing so can put other people’s lives at risk and can also jeopardize your case in the future. If you show negligence at the scene, the other party can sue you for that. Always make sure to check for injuries and call any necessary medical aid as soon as possible. That should always be your first step, assuming you can get up and do so.

Gather Evidence At the Scene

Next, gather any evidence you can at the scene. You’ll want photographs of the accident, the traffic, the weather, and pretty much anything you can record that will show your attorney and a court what the situation looked like. Having documented evidence can go a long way in settling issues that might arise or questions you might be asked over the next several weeks or months. Also, write down the information of any witnesses, the names of officers who helped you, take pictures of signage and road conditions, and the insurance information of the other people involved if they are well enough to exchange it with you.

Report to Insurance Company

The first thing you’ll want to do after everything at the scene is taking care of his call your insurance company. Never neglect to report an accident to your insurance company, no matter what. Not reporting an accident is actually considered a crime in most states, including Arkansas. Let them know everything that happened and send any evidence you have, or copies of it, to the insurance company, as well. The more people who have the evidence you collected, the better.

Keep Post-accident Records

It’s important to keep records after the accident, as well. Many bruises and internal injuries won’t show up for days or weeks after the fact. You also want to keep track of any of the medical professionals you saw, and their records and diagnoses, how you felt, any emotional strain or stress that happened as a result of the accident, and similar things. What happens in the days and weeks following an accident can sometimes give more information as to what really happened than the photos can. There is no medical way to measure emotional distress, so keeping a journal after the accident may also help you both in your recovery and to document the effects of the accident. Make sure to keep track of any financial records, as well. If you had to miss work, calculate how much money that lost you and make sure to notate that, as well. Any medical bills, doctor’s visits, prescription costs, car repair costs, and any other financial output that became necessary because of the accident should be noted and documented. Copies of all of this should be sent to your attorney and to your insurance company.

If you don’t already have an attorney, now would be a good time to get one. Any time you’re in an accident, especially if injuries occur, it’s important to protect yourself by hiring a personal injury attorney in Arkansas. Only a qualified and experienced Arkansas personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system and obtain the best possible outcome based on the specifics of your case. Get started by getting a quote today and take the first step on the road to protecting your freedom, your health, and your future.

 

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