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Though Arizona law requires all drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage on their vehicles, not everyone abides by the law. An estimated one out of eight drivers on the road does not have coverage, according to the Insurance Research Council. It can be an infuriating situation to know that you are a responsible driver who obeys the law, and yet you’re the one who got hurt by someone who doesn’t obey the rules.
First of all, calm down. Getting angry at the driver won’t help anything. Because the other driver has violated the law, there will probably be consequences in the form of fees and fines. At this point, you need to look out for your own interests, which means contacting a Scottsdale AZ car accident law firm and building as strong a case as you can to prove what happened. Here is what you should do.
- Gather as Much Information as You Can
The customary advice to people who have been involved in a car accident is to exchange insurance information. In this case, that exchange can only be one way. Nevertheless, you can still obtain name and contact information from the other driver, as well as the make and model of the vehicle.
You will also need to record the date, time, and location of the accident. If you can safely take pictures, that would be very helpful for the legal team of the Scottsdale AZ car accident law firm you retain.
- Call the Police
This is always a good idea after an accident, and if property damages exceed a certain amount, the law requires it. In an accident with an uninsured driver, it is even more important to obtain a police report to support your case.
The other driver may fear the involvement of law enforcement and offer you money in exchange for not calling the police. Don’t take the bait. Not only will the other driver escape any punishment for breaking the law, but there could be adverse consequences for you.
- Seek Medical Attention
Your first responsibility is to yourself. If you’re seriously injured, all other concerns are secondary. Get an examination from a health care provider to rule out serious injury and receive whatever treatment you need to restore you to full health. Be sure you keep records of your medical expenses because our firm will need to view them later.
Contacting Our Firm
If you’ve called for medical attention (if you or anyone else involved in the accident has either sustained injury or may have internal injuries) and have contacted the police so that you can file a formal accident report, it’s time to connect with our Scottsdale, AZ car accident law firm. Of course, if you need emergency medical attention, focus your efforts on securing that care. But if you’re reading this page on your phone at the accident scene, you’re probably in a position to pick up the phone. If you need our team to connect with you immediately so that you don’t have to interact with law enforcement officers without a legal advocate present, please let whomever picks up the phone at the Yearin Law Office know that you need to speak with an attorney NOW.
Seeking legal representation doesn’t mean that you’ve done anything wrong. It simply means that you want to preserve your legal options and protect your rights in the wake of an accident. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. Our experienced Scottsdale, AZ car accident law firm is here to serve your interests.
A Note About Insurance Claims Adjusters
If you don’t get around to connecting with our firm until after you’ve received medical care, there’s nothing wrong with that. Please just call our firm as soon as you possibly can. The sooner we’re alerted to the fact that you’ve been involved in a collision, the sooner we can start working to preserve evidence and protect your rights. Unfortunately, evidence at the scene may become compromised within minutes, so it’s generally a good idea to contact an attorney immediately. But if you can’t our couldn’t connect with our team in the moments after your crash, just do so as soon as you’re able.
In the meantime, you may receive calls from insurance claims adjusters – your own insurance company and/or the insurance carriers of anyone else involved in the accident. If you receive one of these calls, it is a good idea to let it go to voicemail. Why? You don’t want to speak with an insurance claims adjuster until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. Once you begin working with our firm, we’ll handle communications with all insurance providers so that you don’t have to. Why? First, we want you to be able to focus on your recovery. Your energy shouldn’t be spent on stressful calls with claims adjusters while you’re trying to heal. Second, anything you say to an insurance claims adjuster could be used by that adjuster as an excuse to deny you the full amount of compensation that you’re rightly owed. Our firm understands how to negotiate with insurance companies to better ensure that our clients receive the full amount that they’re due.
Legal Assistance Is Available
Take care of yourself by seeking medical attention, alert law enforcement to the fact that you need to file an accident report, then reach out to our firm to protect your rights and explore your legal options. Contact Yearin Law Office, the car accident attorney Scottsdale, AZ clients recommend, to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned attorney today.
