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What To Do After A West Virginia Car Accident

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A car accident can happen in seconds, but it can affect your life for months or years after the crash. Wherever your collision occurred in West Virginia – a highway, busy city street or back road – you can be left seriously injured. There’s a lot that needs to be done after an accident, but many people aren’t sure what to do next.

The car accident attorneys at Klie Law Offices understand how a crash can impact your life. That’s why we are determined to get results that meet the needs of our clients. We build strong cases to hold negligent drivers accountable and help the injured recover the compensation they deserve.

You got into an accident. Now what? It may seem like there’s not much you can do. But after an accident, there are steps you can take to help you protect your health – and your rights.

Call the police, or ask someone to call them. Your accident may seem minor. You may think that it’s not worth calling the police because it will take too much time. But it is in your best interests to call them. First, police can secure the accident scene and make sure everyone stays safe. Second, they can make sure people who are injured get medical attention. And third, they can document what happened by filling out an accident report. This report can provide important details when you try to recover financial compensation.

Get medical attention, even if you feel OK. You may think you don’t need to see a doctor. Maybe you just feel shaken up and don’t seem to be seriously injured. The problem is there are some injuries that don’t have immediate symptoms, such as concussions and damage to internal organs. A doctor can determine whether you were hurt in any way and treat any injuries you have. If you are hurt, a doctor can also document your injuries.

Gather some basic information. Ask the other driver and any witnesses for names, addresses and phone numbers. Don’t talk about the crash or who was to blame. You can also write down information about the other vehicle or vehicles that were involved. Try to get the make, model, color and license plate number. When you get a moment, also write down your account of how the accident happened.

Take photos of the accident scene. Get some photos of the collision scene from different angles. Take photos of the damage to each vehicle and any other damaged property (such as guardrails). Try to get some shots of any skid marks, road conditions, nearby landmarks and any traffic signs or signals. If you can, take photos of any visible injuries you suffered in the crash.

Call an experienced West Virginia car accident lawyer. It’s important to get trusted legal advice as soon as possible. An attorney can review the details of your accident and go over your legal options. You can also get answers to any questions you have.

Most car accidents are caused by negligent drivers. Perhaps a driver was speeding or being reckless on the road. Some drivers were distracted – they were texting or talking on the phone. Some were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Others were fatigued and falling asleep at the wheel.

If a negligent driver caused your crash, it seems like recovering compensation for your injuries should be a simple process. Unfortunately, it can get very complicated.

Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for what happened. They may not want to get into trouble or are concerned that their insurance premiums will go up. This puts you in the position of having to prove the other driver was negligent.

Experienced legal representation makes a difference

Then there are the insurance companies. They are supposed to help the injured after a car accident, but the truth is they are not on your side. They want to keep profits high by paying out as little as possible. They may question the seriousness of your injuries, argue they were pre-existing or blame you for what happened. Or they’ll make a lowball settlement offer.

That’s why it’s important to have experienced legal representation. At Klie Law Offices, we know how insurance companies operate and how to fight back.

Our legal team investigates your crash to get the facts. We know where to look for evidence that the other driver was negligent. We carefully review accident reports, medical records and other documentation. We interview witnesses and if needed, consult accident reconstruction experts.

Our lawyers build strong cases and demand the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. Many times, we are able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs, but if necessary, we can take your case to trial.

If you were in a car accident, call a law firm that is ready to fight for you. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation.

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