There’s a lot that can go wrong in traffic, especially in a city like San Francisco, where old streets and steep hills meet new cars and electrical trolley buses. The good news is that San Francisco’s government has improved the issue, and traffic fatalities have been on a downturn since their peak in 2013.
But if you’ve been injured in an accident, it can still change dramatically alter your life. You’ll need resources to get back on your feet. You know you need an attorney to get the compensation you’re entitled to, but there are things you can do to arm your lawyer for the best possible outcome.
Get all the relevant information from the accident
This includes what happened and the date and time. You’ll want the contact information and insurance details of the other driver as well as all the information you have about the other vehicle(s) and all insurance claim numbers.
If there were any witnesses, make sure your lawyers have all their information, too. You’ll also need the accident report and any reports from medical personnel who were on the scene.
Take as many pictures as you can
A picture is worth a thousand words, and they can make all the difference to your case. Make sure your pictures of the scene included detailed looks at your property damage from all angles, and photos of the other car, as well as of any injuries you may have.
Cell phones make it easy to take photos these days, but keep in mind: wait to take pictures after medical emergencies have been dealt with, whether in your car or the other. Only stop to take pictures once the scene and surrounding area are safe for you and passing traffic.
Keep detailed medical information
Not only do you want to have photos of your injuries, but you also need clear records of all your injuries and contact information for your doctors and therapists. You need a record of treatment dates, medical bills, and anything your insurance company has sent you on the matter.
As good San Francisco car accident lawyers can tell you, even things that seem inconsequential at the moment may be very important later on. To be on the safe side, always document and keep everything related to your injuries and recovery.
Compile details about your job and salary
You may lose income if you have to miss work. But it’s not just a matter of the money you lose while you’re actually recovering. There’s also lost opportunities for overtime, delayed promotions, and loss of reputation.
If you own your own business, you need to estimate all the damage the from accident on your livelihood. Say, for example, that you own a liquor store Woodbridge, NJ, but since your accident you have lost out on business relationships to increase inventory as well as a chance to raise brand awareness. These types of losses can be taken into account.
Be clear about your own situation
If you’ve ever been convicted of a felony, it might not seem relevant to your car accident: but the other side will know about it and could try to use it against you. Make sure your lawyer knows about this in advance.
Tell your attorney about any prior claims you’ve made in regard to the accident and any new injuries you may have sustained that are related to what happened. As you recover, you’ll probably experience changes in your day-to-day routine, so you’ll want to record how the accident has affected all your activities.
These are just some of the things you need to do to help your attorney win for you. There may be more, so be sure to ask your lawyer for specific help with your case.
