Crashes at intersections can be extremely dangerous for everyone involved and are typically caused by one driver ignoring traffic rules and passing through without yielding. The driver and their passengers who are obeying the rules of the road suffer unfairly after they are injured in this collision, but fortunately, there is a personal injury claims process in place to give them a pathway towards recovering financial damages. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident at an intersection, working with an attorney is an important step to take in order to build a case and fight for the money that you rightfully deserve.
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. If you are planning to file an insurance claim, we encourage you to contact us before reaching out to the insurance company so you can have legal representation through every step of the process. Insurance companies work to settle claims for as little as possible, and you will need to negotiate aggressively in order to get a comprehensive settlement. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for every possible reason to reduce your settlement, so when you have a lawyer handling your claim from day one, they will be able to push back on any step taken to downplay your injuries and limit your damages.
Read more below about crashes at intersections, and contact 1-800-Injured to be connected with a motorcycle accident attorney in your area today.
What To Do After an Accident At an Intersection
After an accident, the first thing to do is to scan your body for injuries and take a moment to check on your passengers. Try to remain calm in these first seconds as your body is flooded with adrenaline. Taking a second can help you collect yourself before making the important next decisions in order to keep you and your passengers safe from additional harm.
Call 911
Call 911 as soon as you can. The sooner the police and fire departments and EMTs are alerted of the crash, they will be able to head to the scene and take control of the situation. Speaking directly to a 911 operator can also help you stay calm, as they are trained professionals who can help you understand what you can do. Many people think that they need to get off the call as soon as possible so the operator can send alerts to local first responders, but this actually happens while you are on the phone, so stay on the line and take their advice.
Get Medical Attention
There are two pieces to the medical attention you will need to pursue: first, get on-site care from the EMTs, and secondly, follow up with your own doctor as soon as possible. At the scene of the accident, you may be overwhelmed with panic and adrenaline that can mask your injuries from you, but the EMTs will be able to examine you and make sure that you are not missing anything important. In certain instances, they will recommend you take an ambulance to the emergency room. However, if you are unconscious or unresponsive they will take you without your approval. If you leave the accident scene on your own without medical attention, you will need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to make sure that your injuries are both cared for AND documented.
Hire an Attorney
It may seem that the logical next step is to file an insurance claim, but the sooner you are working with an attorney, the more opportunities they will have to help get the most of your claim. This means that hiring a lawyer before even contacting the insurance company will help you avoid any missteps that could impact your final settlement, and shows the insurance company that you mean business. Additionally, you will have the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney who can put your anxieties at ease. Speculating about the long-term success of your claim can cause victims to panic, especially as their medical bills and lost wages continue to mount, which the insurance company will leverage to attempt a premature (and low) settlement.
File an Insurance Claim
Once your attorney is representing your case, they will be able to file a claim on your behalf. Throughout the claims investigation process, they will be able to advise you on things like how to go through an independent medical exam, which damages you should be able to claim, and more. While they are doing the administrative work, you will be able to prioritize your recovery so you can move forward from this accident and get your life back on track as soon as possible.