It was in Reno that I experienced my first car accident. It occurred on a typical Tuesday, when it seems like there is no way anything could go wrong. However, I was soon in a situation where my airbag deployed, and my neck suddenly jerked back as if it had been pulled by a rubber band. I was just sitting there thinking: I should probably do something, but I don’t know what. HireAccident Attorneys
I did not anticipate those next few weeks, when I had to learn several lessons about how to deal with a car accident. There are some things I wish I hadn’t done, and others I wish I hadn’t missed. At that time, if I had consulted a Reno car accident attorney, I might not have had to face all the problems. Here is what I learned.
1. The Effect of Adrenaline
Although I was not hurt immediately after the crash, I thought I was okay and ignored any changes in my body. However, two days later, I had problems even turning my head. Later, my doctor said that sometimes injuries need 24 to 72 hours to show their full effects. I almost did not go to the ER on the first day of my accident, since I truly believed I was fine.
2. The Other Driver’s Insurance Adjuster Is a Professional Investigator
I received a call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster within 48 hours. He was polite and asked me how I was feeling and about the accident. I did not think much about that conversation but later found out that he was using it to build a case against me. Then it hit me: this is why they offered such a low settlement! CompareAuto Insurance
3. Documentation Is Crucial
I did not take any photos. I did not write about what happened. I thought that the information would be in the police report. However, it included only the basics. From that moment, I warn people about the importance of photographs of the vehicles, the road, traffic signals, and any visible injuries, keeping all receipts, and writing down how they feel every day.
4. Medical Bills Are Cumulative
My physical therapist had sessions for me three times a week for two months. Also, I had to undergo the imaging procedure twice. I visited a specialist for the headaches, which did not go away. All those bills were coming in separately, and the end result was huge. Even when the accident was not my fault, I was paying my medical bills for months.
5. You Have a Limited Amount of Time
Every state has a deadline for filing a case after a car accident, after which the court will dismiss your case, and you cannot get compensation. I learned this fact only months after my accident, when I was still recovering. Thankfully, I still had enough time to file. HireAccident Attorneys
6. I Should Have Asked for Help
I dealt with this situation on my own for so long. I spoke to the insurance adjuster, managed my medical documents, and tried to understand the paperwork, but it was all so confusing. This situation took up a lot of my energy, and I did not achieve much. The turning point came when I decided to ask for help. It was then that I finally started to feel relief. My lawyer explained my options and handled everything, so I could just focus on recovering.
What I Would Suggest to People Who Have to Go Through This
After the accident, your life turns upside down. It rewires your sense of what’s normal. Suddenly, you start attending many appointments, making lots of calls, and making important decisions. If I could travel back in time, I would slow down, document everything that happened, and get a lawyer. Since this process is not intuitive at all, I see no point in figuring it out on my own.
