According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, 20-50 million injuries are sustained because of traffic accidents every year. If you're injured in an auto accident, it's important to work with a motor vehicle accident lawyer to claim the settlement you deserve from insurance and the at-fault driver. This article will outline the steps you need to take following an auto accident injury to increase your likelihood of successfully settling a car accident case.

Seek Medical Attention

The first thing you need to do is to seek medical attention. If you have a serious injury, it's likely that an ambulance will arrive to provide you with initial treatment and transport you to a hospital for more involved procedures. If your injuries are not serious enough to require an ambulance, you should still see a medical provider as soon as you can to check for concussions, internal injuries, and fractures.

Injuries can cause significant pain and suffering. If they aren't treated properly, they can turn into lifelong disabilities. Holding off on seeing a medical provider can diminish the strength of your legal case. A judge and the opposing party may see it as evidence that the injury sustained was not serious enough to justify medical intervention.

Gather Evidence

Again, if you're seriously injured, you need to seek medical attention immediately. If you're uninjured, though, take photos of the scene. The crash scene may be cleaned up quickly to keep traffic flowing safely, so it's important to act fast. Any pictures you take of the vehicles involved and the damage to them can be used as firsthand evidence for your case, boosting its chances of success. You could also approach the police on the scene and request a copy of their report.

Find a Reputable Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer

If you don't already know a motor vehicle accident lawyer, you'll need to do some research to find a high-quality one. Many personal injury law firms have attorneys who specialize in auto accident cases. Figuring out who can best serve you can be the tricky part.

Start by asking family and friends for referrals. They may have been in a similar situation and know of someone they were pleased with. If they know a trusted lawyer that happens to specialize in an area of law outside of auto accidents, see if the lawyer has referrals to other law firms. Always check online reviews and testimonials, too. Make sure the lawyer or law firm you choose has plenty of experience and positive reviews.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

It's critical to follow the treatment plan your medical provider comes up with for you, both for the sake of your health and your case. Injury rehabilitation can be a difficult journey and medical bills can accumulate quickly. Organize all of your documents and bills and give them to your lawyer. They'll be able to calculate your settlement based on these expenses. The medical provider will also be able to testify on your behalf, so building a good patient-physician relationship is crucial.

Trust Your Lawyer

The legal process for settling an auto injury can be complicated and frustrating if you're unprepared for it. Fortunately, your lawyer will help organize the evidence for your case, gather witnesses and expert testimonies, and negotiate with the insurance companies for your settlement. It can be difficult to calculate the exact value of the settlement until the case is over, but trust that your lawyer is doing everything they can to get you the compensation you deserve. Of course, you should meet with the lawyer before you hire them. Many motor vehicle accident lawyers will provide a free consultation during which you can get a better sense of who they are and if they're right for you.

If you're looking for a reputable and dedicated motor vehicle accident lawyer in Warwick, NY and the surrounding areas, turn to Petrizzo and Longo. We have over 65 years of combined experience that we call upon to assist you. Call today or request a case review online to get started.