Everyone who gets behind the wheel is at risk of getting into a crash. Sadly, all it takes is one drunk, distracted, or reckless driver to cause a catastrophic collision. Although victims can sue the liable motorist for damages, there are certain steps they must take along the way to prove fault and ultimately build a successful personal injury claim. Though you’ll need to enlist the help of a car crash lawyer, there are a few steps you can take as well to further your case.

Do What You Can at the Scene

If you are well enough to walk around after the collision, you can start building your claim at the scene. This includes photographing the wreck from all angles, exchanging insurance and contact information with the other motorists, and gathering the names and phone numbers of any passengers or witnesses.

Your car crash lawyer will use all this information to determine what happened and then prove liability. In addition to pictures of the scene and eyewitness testimony, evidence of fault may include the official police report, dash cam footage, and surveillance camera recordings.

Call an Attorney

After leaving the scene and seeking adequate medical attention, it is wise to call a lawyer. The sooner you call an attorney, the quicker you can file a successful claim and recover compensation for the damages. In fact, you should talk to a car crash lawyer before speaking to anyone else about the incident. Otherwise, you may end up jeopardizing the case.

If you inadvertently give the insurance adjuster a recorded statement before reaching maximum medical improvement, for example, it could severely limit the size of the settlement. Fortunately, a seasoned attorney will handle all the logistics of the case and negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf. Not only will this ensure the settlement includes all potential damages, but it will also allow you to focus solely on your health.  

If you were hurt in a wreck with a negligent motorist, a car crash lawyer from Knochel Law Offices, PC, will help you prove liability and damages. With offices in Kingman, Lake Havasu, and Bullhead City, this firm makes it easy to get unparalleled counsel for various legal issues no matter where you live in Arizona. Since 1987, their skilled team has been offering quality counsel, guidance, and representation during every stage of the proceedings. Visit their website to find the practice nearest you, or call (928) 444-1000 to schedule an initial consultation.