Protecting Your Rights after a Motor Vehicle Accident
Practical Advice from Alameda County Personal Injury Lawyer Kevin Taguchi
When you’ve been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is your choice of legal counsel. You’ll want to hire an experienced and aggressive attorney to protect your rights, and you’ll want to do so as soon as possible, so that you don’t risk the loss of critical evidence. But there are some critical steps to take in the immediate aftermath of the accident, before you have the opportunity to retain counsel. This page outlines the steps you should follow to best protect your rights.
At the Law Firm of Kevin D. Taguchi, in Hayward, we have protected the rights of personal injury victims in the Bay area since 1990. A former Alameda County Deputy District Attorney, Kevin Taguchi is a highly skilled trial lawyer, with more than 30 jury verdicts and over 100 trials under his belt. We have the skill and experience to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs, but we are never afraid to take your case to court to get the outcome you want.
At our office, every new client receives a free initial consultation. To set up a meeting, contact our office online or call us at 510-886-4446.
Protecting Yourself When You’ve Been in a Car Accident
The first thing you want to do after you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident is get the medical treatment you need. If you are unable to move about under your own power, don’t try to—this is no time to be a hero, it’s a time to acknowledge that you’ve been hurt and not take actions that could lead to further injury. Wait until emergency personnel arrive and let them determine whether you need to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
If you are able to leave the scene unassisted, you should still go to your family doctor or to an urgent care facility as soon as possible. The earlier you have a diagnosis of an injury, the less risk you have that insurance companies or defense attorney will argue that there was an intervening event that caused your injury. When you get medical care, be sure to tell the doctors and nurses about everything that feels different and every part of your body that was exposed to trauma. Don’t limit your discussions to your broken leg and neglect to mention the stiffness in your back or neck, which may be signs of more long term health problems. Make certain, too, that medical professionals document everything you say in writing.
Never give a statement of any kind at the scene of the accident, particularly to any insurance company representative. Wait until you’ve hired legal counsel before you talk to insurers.
If possible, gather as much information as you can about the other drivers and any witnesses, including name, phone number, address, e-mail address and insurance provider. Take pictures of everything, from the damage on all vehicles to any injuries you suffered to weather conditions, traffic signs or signals and weather conditions. If police come to the scene, ask the police officer how you can obtain a copy of the police report, and do that as soon as possible.
Contact Our Office
We provide a free initial consultation to every client. For a private meeting with an experience Alameda County motor vehicle accident lawyer, contact our office online or call us at 510-886-4446. We are available to meet with you evenings and weekends by appointment, and will travel to the hospital, if necessary.
Winner of Best of the Bay TV’s Viewer Choice Award in 2010