What to Do After a Fender Bender

Many people believe that they can’t receive compensation after a minor accident like a fender bender, even if they are suffering from long-term injuries. But this isn’t always the case, and if you hire a highly experienced car accident lawyer, you could receive the money you need to pay for your medical bills and the necessary car repairs. Today, we will have a closer look at what to do after a fender bender and whether you should get in touch with a lawyer.

What Is a Fender Bender? 

When we use the term “fender bender”, we generally mean an accident that wasn’t very serious, where everyone was still conscious and able to leave the scene without having to go to the hospital. For example, this could be a low-impact accident, where both parties were driving at a speed of less than 10mph. Such a collision could happen during rush-hour traffic when the person behind you accidentally went too far and hit your car.

While these incidents are generally not considered very severe, they could cause long-lasting damage through injuries to you. This could put your ability to earn an income and enjoy your life at risk, so it’s important to take action. No matter how minor your accident was, you should keep an eye on your symptoms and contact an attorney if you notice that you have long-lasting pain.

5 Things To Do After a Fender Bender 

Your actions after the accident will depend on whether you have any symptoms and how clear it is that the other person was at fault. If they broke the law or caused the collision because they were distracted, it’s evident that they are responsible for what happened. In such a case, it makes sense to get in touch with a car accident lawyer and file a lawsuit. You could receive the money you need to help you move on and recover fully from what happened.

1 – Get in Touch with Your Car Accident Lawyer 

As soon as everyone is safe, call your car accident attorney. They will walk you through what you should do and expect in the moment. Later on,  you and your attorney can talk about what happened and the measures you’ve had to take to heal from the collision. Together, you will look at the evidence and your attorney will figure out how you can receive the maximum amount of compensation you are owed.

2 – Determine Whether You Are Injured

In California, you have two years from the date of your accident to make a claim. Thus, you don’t have to act immediately, and you can take the time you need to figure out how bad the consequences are. In the first days after the collision, you might feel okay because your body is still full of adrenaline. However, this will run out, and you will start to notice the long-term impact.

Even after a fender bender, many people have soft tissue damage such as whiplash. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck or back could be affected. Over time, you might experience debilitating symptoms such as headaches that affect your ability to work and function. Similarly, you could have lost range of motion in your neck which makes driving and other physical activities challenging.

3 – Get the Treatment You Need 

Don’t hesitate to get the treatment you need. Physical therapy, massage, and other interventions can significantly reduce the time it takes for you to get back to normal, so they are crucial for your health. Remember that the other party’s insurance company will most likely have to pay for any medical bills you accrue as a result of the accident.

4 – Determine Fault 

Before anything else, you need to prove that another party was at fault. In many cases, this will be the other driver, who might have been distracted, driving under the influence, or not keeping a sufficient distance between their car and yours.

However, it could also be a mechanic who failed to repair one of the vehicles properly or the car manufacturer who sold you a faulty vehicle. A good attorney will have the contacts necessary to figure out who was responsible and to hold them accountable.

5 – Prove Your Injuries

You will also have to show evidence of your injuries and the impact of the collision on your life. This is usually relatively easy, especially if you’ve been getting treatment at a hospital or clinic. Your medical bills will serve as evidence, and your lawyer can call on expert witnesses to prove that your injuries are a result of the crash.

What’s more, you may be able to show that you haven’t been capable of working for several weeks or months. Your employer can confirm that you’ve been having trouble performing your regular work duties or that you’ve been off sick after the incident.

Is the Effort Worth the Reward? 

If you’ve been in a minor collision, you might wonder whether the effort of hiring an attorney is worth the reward. Can you really expect a significant amount of compensation? The answer is that it depends on your situation and on the lawyer you hire. A serious injury, such as severe whiplash, could result in a high level of compensation, especially if you are not able to work or you had to change your job.

Before you make a decision, it’s important to remember that the best lawyers won’t charge you upfront, and they will only take payment once your case has been successful. That way, you’re not putting yourself or your finances at risk, and there is very little downside to getting in touch with your attorney.

When determining what to do after a fender bender, you should take into account your injuries. Many people have problems with their neck and back, even if the collision was minor, and it’s important to claim compensation and use the money to get treated. Call or message us now at The Soliman Firm to book your free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation. We will be happy to find out more about your situation and how we can assist you.