Car Accident Injuries: What Are Your Rights?

After a car accident, you may have some concerns about your situation. One of them is knowing whether you’ve been injured as a result. However, being involved in a collision for the first time can be frustrating, especially if you have no idea where to turn to for help. Typically, you can better handle this unfortunate incident if you’re familiar with your rights. Knowing your rights allow you to understand your potential legal options.   

Thus, if you’ve suffered an injury in an auto accident, below are the rights you need to know from the get-go: 

• Right To Compensation  

When you’re injured in a car crash, you probably with specific physical, emotional, and financial consequences. For example, if your injury forces you to take some time off and lose your wages. As a result, you may have the right to get compensated for all your losses.   

Generally, your right to recover compensation is essential because it allows you to fill in the financial loopholes associated with a car accident injury. You can maximize both your physical and financial recovery When you have the funds you need to finance your medical care and other expenses.   

Hence, you need to file a legal claim against the at-fault party to exercise your right to compensation. But, if you want to receive a favorable outcome, it’s best to hire one of the best car accident injury attorneys in Illinois or wherever you may be located. They can evaluate the facts of your case and determine the best way to have a successful claim.   

• Right To Seek Medical Attention  

When you sustain an injury in a vehicular accident, you certainly have the right to get checked and treated by a competent doctor. Sometimes, car accident injuries don’t appear right away. Some may take a few days or weeks before the signs and symptoms manifest inside your body. Because of this, you need to get the medical treatment you require for your injury. That way, you can protect yourself against a more serious medical condition.   

• Right To Contact The Police Authorities  

Another right that you have after suffering a car accident injury is your right to call the police authorities after what happened. Since vehicular collisions involve legal matters, you need a law enforcement officer at the accident scene to handle the legalities.   

For instance, the police officer will go to the area to investigate and document what happened. They’ll list all the parties involved and determine who can be at fault for the collision. Once they have their findings, they’ll file a police report used as evidence to substantiate your car accident claim.   

• Right To Collect Evidence  

You also have the right to gather valuable pieces of evidence when you’ve been injured in an accident. When you have the proof, you need to support your case, you can improve your odds of winning by establishing the at-fault party’s liability.   

For example, you have the right to take photos of the accident scene and your injury. You’re also entitled to a right to talk to witnesses who have seen what happened. Their testimonies may help strengthen your case against the responsible driver. By doing all of these, you can gather enough evidence to hold the other party liable.   

• Right To Negotiate With The Insurance Company  

Before your car accident case goes to trial, you first deal with the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement for your losses or damages. However, talking to an insurance service provider may not be a pleasant experience. It is especially true if they’re doing everything they can to reduce your chances of getting the settlement offer you deserve.   

As such, you can exercise your right to negotiate with the insurance company. It means you’re not required to accept what the insurance company offers you as a settlement. Instead, you can seek legal assistance to help you negotiate and settle your claim correctly.   

• Right To Remain Silent  

Although this right is usually applicable for the people charged or arrested with a crime, you can also enforce your right to remain silent after suffering a car accident injury. It’s especially true if you’re talking to a police officer or using your social media.   

When answering questions from the police officer, you can use your right to remain silent to ensure you don’t respond to the incriminating ones and compromise your odds of winning your case. When using your social media, you also have the right to remain silent by choosing not to post anything about your injury. That way, you can protect your case from the other party who pries on your account to look for evidence to weaken your claim.   

 Bottom Line  

Knowing your rights after sustaining an injury can be crucial for the success of your case. The more you understand your rights as an injured victim, the better you can protect yourself from the adverse consequences of a vehicular collision.   

Therefore, if you’ve been involved in an accident for the first time, keep the information mentioned above in mind to educate yourself about their rights and get a more favorable result.