While most people think that they will never be in a crash, the odds are not good: the odds of dying in a car crash are one out of 133, and the odds of merely being involved in a collision are much higher, according to the National Safety Council. If you are involved in a crash in Williamsburg, our auto accident lawyers will be ready to represent you.

What to Do After a Crash

It is essential that you are prepared in the event that a car crash happens. Here are some things that you should do as soon as possible, which can help to improve the outcome of your car accident claim:

• Seek medical care. The first thing you should do is make sure that you and any passengers within your vehicle are safe and injury-free. If injuries are detected, you should seek medical care immediately. Make sure you keep a copy of all of your medical records.

• Report the Accident to the Police. It is crucial that you report the accident to the police as soon as possible. Ask for a copy of the police report.

• Gather evidence and talk to witnesses. If you can do so, you should gather evidence and the accident scene – like photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road debris, traffic signs, and more. You should also get any eyewitnesses’ contact information and a brief recap of what they saw.

• Report the accident to your car insurance company. Finally, you should report the accident to your car insurance company as soon as possible to improve your chances of recovering your full settlement amount. If you delay reporting your accident, your claim may be denied, or the insurance company may not be able to open an investigation promptly.

Car Accident Statute of Limitations

You have the right to bring forth a civil claim to recover damages after a crash. You have two years to bring forth your injury-related claim and five years to bring forth a claim for property damage, per Virginia Code 8.01.243. If you do not file your claim within the required time frame, you will likely be unable to recover compensation at all.

Improve Your Chances of Getting Your Full Settlement Amount

If you are involved in a serious car wreck, you may be unable to take many of the steps above, such as gathering evidence and the accident scene or talking to witnesses. Further, you may be confused by the claim’s process and told by an insurance adjuster that because you were at fault for the crash (even if you weren’t), your claim is being denied. Or, you may be offered a settlement amount that is way lower than what you were expecting. When any of these things occur, it important to contact an experienced Williamsburg, Virginia car accident lawyer. A lawyer who is knowledgeable about Virginia’s car accident laws understands negligence and how to prove fault and is a seasoned negotiator is essential to your claim.