An Ottawa Car Accident Lawyer Guides You Through the Steps Following a Road Accident
Winter or summer, rain or shine, one thing is certain: as soon as you hit the road in your vehicle you are faced with an innumerable amount of distractions, obstacles and of course-the negligence of other drivers.
Indeed, no matter how good your driving record is, it is possible you have already been involved in a road accident involving at least one more vehicle or even a pedestrian. Of course, the prospect of any accident can seem daunting, especially to those who are slightly more anxious drivers.
Furthermore, there are additional considerations about car accidents which come into play and an Ottawa car accident lawyer will tell you that the actions you take immediately after the accident can have long-lasting consequences.
What exactly are those considerations and what would a car accident lawyer most likely advise you if were involved in a road accident?
Firstly, it is important to seek medical treatment even if you are not in immediate pain. Why? Simply put, certain conditions can manifest themselves days, weeks and even months after a particular accident has taken place. By seeking treatment, you are protecting your interests in case you may need to obtain compensation for your injuries later on.
Of course, if you are in doubt as to the time you have to file a complaint against another driver, your accident lawyer can easily advise you on that matter… and much more.
Another common occurrence during minor accidents is the exchange of insurance information by all involved parties. This can be a tricky situation and can often lead to an admission of fault where one is not warranted: once this admission is declared, it can be difficult to retract and can have very negative consequences.
For this reason, an Ottawa car accident lawyer will advise you to seek legal help when dealing with another drivers’ insurance-and even your own. Why? Because we’ve all heard of how certain insurance companies will stop at nothing to refuse payment!
Finally, it is important to note that in most cases involving serious damage to the vehicle or in cases of injury, the police will file a report which can be presented as evidence in court. However, this report does not confirm which party is at fault. For this reason, you should always consult a legal expert immediately after a serious road accident.
Just one consultation can mean the difference between peace-of-mind and a legal headache which won’t go away for years. When in doubt, don’t forget that knowledge is power.