If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, you may be wondering what steps you need to take and who you should contact to help get the ball rolling on a personal injury claim. This process can seem hectic, but you need to act quickly in order to protect your interests and avoid limiting your liability options. To help clear up some of this confusion, we’re going to break down three reports you’ll want to file in the wake of a Minnesota car accident with injury.
Reports To File After A Car Accident
A workers’ compensation claim will require a lot of information, and much of this information can be gleaned from official reports that are filed along the way. Here are three reports that you’ll want to file quickly after a car accident:
Police Report – A police report is likely the first thing that you will begin in the wake of a car accident. Minnesota law requires that you file a police report in the event that any party is hurt or there is significant financial damage. You can begin this report by calling 911 from the scene and waiting for an officer to arrive. Once they are on scene, police will survey the wreck and then interview all parties separately to create what they believe or be an unbiased report of what occurred. Any statements you give may be used to determine fault, so stick to the facts and don’t overshare. This publicly-available report will help to prove to the insurance company that an accident with compensable damages occurred.
Medical Report – The next report that will go a long way in helping your case is the medical report. This is generated by a treating physician that conducts what’s known as an independent medical exam. During your IME, your physician will perform a comprehensive assessment in order to diagnose the nature and the extent of your injuries. You’ll want to be completely open and honest with your provider during this assessment about any symptoms you’re dealing with, whether they are physical, mental or emotional. Don’t undersell or overstate your symptoms. Paired with a police report, and the insurance company will be able to see that clear injuries exist and where fault lies.
Insurance Report – A final thing you’ll need to do is to report the crash to your insurance company. Many policies require that you report the accident within 24 hours, so learn the time constraints within your policy. You may want to rush to report the accident to your insurance company, but it’s important to remember that they are not your friend. They are trying to limit their liability, so choose your words carefully. In fact, it’s oftentimes in your best interest to contact a personal injury law firm prior to reporting the accident to the insurance company. At a minimum, they can walk you through what questions to expect, what you should avoid saying and how the adjuster may try to trip you up. You do not need to give a recorded statement at this time, you just need to let them know that an accident occurred and if you have the other driver’s insurance information. If they ask for a recorded statement, you can politely decline and say that you need to talk with your lawyer to ensure you move forward in the correct manner.
These three reports will be essential in helping you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident, but so too is a lawyer. If you’re looking for a firm who can help you in the wake of a car accident, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
