You have just been the victim of a motor vehicle accident. Your adrenalin is spiking and your senses are more alive than they have ever been. But what should you do now? First, take a deep breath and calm down. Once you have relaxed enough if you have been injured, now is the time to follow a few steps on how to file a vehicle accident injury claim.
Steps for Filing a Vehicle Accident Injury Claim
Step 1 - Gather Information
While the moments leading up to the accident are still fresh in your mind, jot down a few simple details you may need when you file your accident claim. Go over details of the accident with the other parties and any witnesses and take names and contact information as well.
Step 2 - Report the Accident
If police are not already on the scene, you must contact them to report the accident. This permits them to create a file on the incident that will be of use to you when you are in contact with your auto insurance broker and for filing an injury claim.
Step 3 - Seek Medical Attention
If you have injuries from a motor vehicle accident, it is important to get examined by a medical professional. You may feel fine, but a first responder can detect if you are suffering from something that does not show as cuts or bruises do. If you have serious injuries that send you to the hospital, ensure that you retain copies of your medical reports and expenses as they will be required as part of your personal injury claim.
Step 4 - Determine Fault
Your compensation amount will be determined by where the fault of the accident lies. If you do not feel you are to blame for the incident, contact the other parties to see if they feel that the accident is their responsibility. If both sides do not feel they are at fault, you should consult personal injury lawyers in Brisbane as soon as possible for advice. Even if you are not at fault, you may end up partly at fault. This is why you should consult with vehicle accident lawyers to sort that out.
Step 5 - Meet With A Personal Injury Lawyer
With all the information you have gathered about the accident, it is time to meet with a lawyer who practices personal injury law in north Brisbane. GKS Law has team members who specialise in vehicle accident law in Brisbane. When you consult with them, you will learn if your details warrant following up with a personal injury claim for compensation. The team at GKS Law can also tell you if your claim may be successful or not. Contact them today for details on how they can help.
Step 6 - Start Your Claim
If the lawyers at GKS Law indicate that you should file a personal injury claim, this is when you should start pulling together additional evidence to support your claim. You may require access to medical records, talk to witnesses to the accident for details you do not recall, and collect payslips if the injury has caused you to take time off from work. As for the type of compensation you may receive, expect it to cover medical expenses, past and future income loss, pain and suffering (physical and psychological), and past and future domestic assistance.
Step 7 - Lodge Your Claim
You have six months from the date of the motor vehicle accident to lodge your personal injury claim. This is why it is important not to delay the process. Plus, it will take time for your claim to be processed. It could be 6 to 12 months before your claim reaches a settlement.
Step 8 - Keep Your Lawyer Updated
Typically, you cannot take legal action following a motor vehicle accident until the injuries you have stabilised. There are times when medical conditions get worse as the claim process is underway. If this happens to you, you must contact your vehicle accident injury lawyers and share this information. They will take the necessary actions.
The Best Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyers In Brisbane
Have you been in a motor vehicle accident lately? If you have injuries of any kind, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. To be sure, contact the legal team of vehicle accident lawyers in Brisbane at GKS Law.
In Conclusion
It is never a good thing to be involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, if you are injured as a result of an incident, you may qualify for compensation to cover costs and lost income. There are steps to follow that lead to lodging a claim and it is always best to consult with a lawyer for legal advice.
You can find more information in our other articles:
Vehicle accident compensation Qld, and Steps to take after a vehicle accident