Contacting an attorney after a Southaven car accident is in your best interest. Ideally, you should find someone appropriate within a few days or weeks after addressing your immediate medical needs. Delaying can make it more challenging to obtain a fair settlement.
An accomplished car collision attorney can help you gather essential fresh evidence by speaking with witnesses and reviewing potential footage. Our team at The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can help with your case and handle communication with insurance companies to protect your interests throughout the process.
What Are the Appropriate Steps To Take?
Knowing what to do and the steps to take immediately following a collision is crucial. Key steps include the following:
- Reporting the accident to the local authorities right away, even if the damage is not severe
- Ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers, and seeking emergency medical care if necessary
- Documenting the scene, such as taking photos of property damage and road conditions, as well as exchanging information with eyewitnesses and other drivers involved in the crash
- Notifying the automobile insurance provider about the event and possible damage, but not giving recorded statements or discussing payouts before getting legal advice
- Collecting all the essential records throughout the process, such as hospital records, medical bills, proof of lost wages, and repair estimates
Contacting a lawyer, such as David and Elissa, is also an important step after a car collision in Southaven.
Benefits of Legal Representation
Hiring an experienced attorney in the immediate aftermath of an auto wreck in Southaven provides many benefits, such as substantially increasing the chances of fair compensation. Insurance companies may lowball unrepresented policyholders, but lawyers have experience with negotiating and know how to counter their offers.
A car collision lawyer can also help build the evidence by hiring investigators and accident reconstructionists, speaking with other experts, and handling the paperwork and legal filings. They are also experienced in handling these cases and know what is necessary to prove fault and obtain the maximum potential payout.
Know the Laws
Knowing the state’s rules and regulations is vital after crashes. Under state law, drivers involved in crashes resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more must report the accident to local law enforcement as soon as possible. Depending on where the collision happened, that could include the local police department, county sheriff, or Mississippi Highway Patrol. Reporting the accident quickly also helps create an official record and may preserve evidence that could become important later.
While it does not apply to auto insurance claims, if the case proceeds to litigation in civil court, Mississippi generally imposes a three-year deadline to commence legal action. That means injured parties typically have three years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Missing this essential deadline could mean losing eligibility to obtain compensation in a personal injury claim. There are many reasons why communicating with a lawyer after a Southaven car wreck is essential, and taking precautions is the best way to achieve a positive outcome.
Contact a Southaven Lawyer After a Car Crash
Vehicle collisions happen unexpectedly and are often traumatic. Knowing what to do immediately and afterward is crucial for protecting your rights and interests. That includes prioritizing your health and safety, then contacting an attorney after a Southaven car accident and following the steps necessary to establish the responsible party’s liability and obtain fair compensation.
David and Elissa at The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can review your case and options. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation at a convenient time for you.
