Brunnock and Fleming is a Morristown, New Jersey injury law firm that specializes in helping accident injury victims receive fair compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident in Morristown or Northern New Jersey, contact Brunnock and Fleming for a free legal consultation today.

An auto accident can be a nerve-wracking and surreal experience. There have been accounts of people walking away from car accidents and then finding themselves in severe pain after the adrenaline wears off. There have been cases of people who think they are fine only to collapse hours later from internal injuries. It is cases like this that insurance companies are quite fond of, because a delay in medical treatment gives them all sorts of leeway to deny claims and make excuses. “How can we be sure that you weren’t injured after the accident?”

This is why it is important to take the following steps after any car accident, no matter how seemingly minor, that you take the following steps. To be sure, the aftermath of a car accident might seem to be a ridiculous time to grab a check list, but doing so can help you avoid running into any delays or claim denials.

Call 911: Report the accident immediately, even if there is no obvious medical trauma. The reason for this is that the police will interview witnesses and do a basic investigation, which should include an accident reconstruction. They will also get insurance information from the other drivers.

Record the Scene: Get the names, or, failing that, license plate numbers of witnesses. Most cell phones have cameras built in. Use yours to record the scene of the accident.

Don’t take it for granted that you are “Fine”: Wait for the paramedics to examine you at the scene. Nothing could be more problematic in dealing with an insurance company than driving home and waking up the next day in pain.

Go to the doctor immediately: Again, delaying medical treatment is absolutely the worst thing that you can do. This gives the insurance company the chance to say that you suffered the “real injury” in the period of time that it took you to get to the hospital, or that you made a minor injury from the accident worse by not taking care of it. They can argue that because of this, they don’t have to pay for it.

Be completely honest: Don’t try to be tough and say it was nothing if it isn’t. Don’t try to make mountains out of molehills if it doesn’t seem so bad. Both of these actions can hurt you in court. Be nothing but honest.

Call your insurance company: Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you should tell your insurance company about the accident. Provide them with any information that you have, from the name of the other driver to the names of the witnesses to the names of the police officers that processed the accident.

Sign nothing: If the accident was clearly the other driver’s fault, there is a good chance the insurance company will send some representatives around with a cash offer and some forms to sign. Don’t sign it. The amount that they are offering you is not only worth less than what you should be getting, but the forms that they want you to sign will absolve them from any future liability. So if your medical condition suddenly gets worse, it officially isn’t there problem anymore if you have signed those documents.

Consult an attorney: Don’t return insurance company phone calls. Don’t sign forms. Don’t meet. Don’t accept offers to take you out to lunch. Any calls or e-mails should go to your attorney.

Follow up with an experienced doctor: Find a doctor who has experience in accident injuries. Go over your treatment and any symptoms you might have, and again, be honest. Don’t exaggerate or minimize.

Take the time to find the best lawyer: Your cousin who is a divorce lawyer won’t be good for your case.. Find an injury attorney with experience..

Keep track of everything: Doctor’s appointments, e-mails, phone calls, notes about your medical condition and progress since the accidents. All of this information can be used to prove your case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in the Morristown, New Jersey area, contact Brunnock and Fleming for a free consultation today.

Let Us Help You

Brunnock & Fleming, P.C.
1776 On The Green
67 Park Place
5th Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960

Phone: (973) 898-3700
Fax: (973) 898-6766

Toll Free: (800) 378-6206

FAQs

Automobile and Truck Accidents

more >