Being involved in a car accident that leaves you with injuries but no vehicle damage may feel frustrating. You know that the crash caused your injuries, but the lack of damage makes the accident appear inconsequential. Will the insurance company believe you were injured and need funds to pay for medical bills?
The steps you take after the accident, especially with the help of a crash accident lawyer, will impact your insurance claim significantly.
1. Call the Police and Request a Police Report
Your first step after any car accident should be to call the police. Don’t worry if you don’t see any damage to your vehicle. There could be hidden damage or internal problems, and requesting a police report will help the claims process.
An officer will come to the scene, assess the damage, and create a police report. If they do not want to create a report because they don’t see any damage, kindly ask them to create one anyway, and detail your injury symptoms.
2. Take Photos of Your Vehicle, Just in Case
The police officer should take photos of the accident scene as part of the report, but it won’t hurt to take your own photos as well. These images might not show any obvious damage to your vehicle, but they may still come in handy during your insurance claim. Your crash accident lawyer will also want photos to help support your case.
You could be overlooking minor damage to the paint job or small dents in the body. While this damage might seem small, failing to repair it could lead to rust and other issues. It may still be worth submitting a claim.
3. Collect Contact Information for All Parties Involved
Any crash accident lawyer will advise you to collect the contact information for everyone involved in the accident. This might include:
- The driver who hit you
- Any other drivers involved in the crash
- Anyone who witnessed the accident
Don’t assume that you won’t need to contact witnesses just because you weren’t involved in a T-bone accident with obvious damage. Collect this contact information anyway so that you have it, should you need to file an insurance claim or have your rear-end crash attorney contact them.
4. Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Once you leave the accident scene, your next priority should be seeking medical attention. Doing so offers two main benefits:
- Allows you to begin treating injuries immediately, before they worsen, and ensures that you do not overlook any underlying problems
- Provides you with medical documentation that can clearly link the accident to your injuries
If the insurance adjuster claims that your injuries were pre-existing or happened after the accident, you and your car crash attorney can show them this documentation.
5. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Finally, report the accident to your insurance company. They can help you determine whether to file a claim under your own policy or through the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Your crash accident lawyer can help you communicate with the insurance adjuster and streamline the claims process as much as possible. If the adjuster does not believe that your injuries resulted from the accident, your collision injury lawyer can provide additional evidence.
Seek Auto Wreck Legal Help From Our Crash Accident Lawyers
Navigating a car crash claim in which there was no vehicle damage can be tricky, but you may still have the right to an insurance payout. At McLaurin Law PLLC, our motor vehicle accident lawyers will help you protect your rights to compensation and guide you through this process.
Contact us today at 713-461-6500 for a consultation with an experienced crash accident lawyer.
