All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can take you from tarmac to trail and back again with ease, making these fast vehicles an ideal way to enjoy Texas’ beautiful vistas. However, as with any vehicle, there’s always the risk that your next ride could end in disaster. Accidents involving ATVs aren’t uncommon in the state, and riders often suffer catastrophic injuries.
Fortunately, if you were injured on the road, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses by filing a personal injury claim. However, the success of your case will often hinge on the actions you take immediately after the wreck. The wrong steps could trip you up and leave you unable to recover compensation.
Let’s look at a few steps you should always take after an accident:
1. Gather and Compile Evidence
Documenting the wreck is an important step that could translate into success during the claims process. Start by using your phone to take pictures of the vehicles involved, your injuries, street signs, and any other elements of the accident scene that could help your attorney or an accident reconstructionist determine what happened.
Additionally, if anyone saw the collision take place, their accounts could help corroborate your version of events. Take down their names and contact details to share with your lawyer. If you spotted surveillance cameras nearby, or someone captured footage of the accident on their vehicle’s dashcam, such evidence could also help prove liability.
2. Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you were able to stand up after the accident, you should still schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately. It’s possible that you suffered a serious impact injury that has yet to manifest any symptoms. Left unchecked, such conditions could worsen, leading to additional health complications that could’ve been avoided had you undergone a comprehensive medical assessment. However, seeking treatment is about more than just taking care of your health; a prompt diagnosis could also make it easier for you to tie your injuries to the wreck and avoid disputes over failure to mitigate damages.
3. Stay Away from Social Media
As the world has embraced a new digital way of life, insurers have also changed the way they investigate claims. No longer are investigations restricted to the real world with claims adjusters now routinely monitoring claimants’ social media feeds for evidence that could be used to lodge disputes. As such, anything you post online could be used to challenge your credibility. If you are not able to deactivate your accounts, you should refrain from using social media for the duration of the proceedings.
4. Do Not Provide a Recorded Statement
If the insurer reaches out to you for a recorded statement, you should postpone this interview until a later date. Until you’ve had a chance to investigate the wreck and assess your damages, it’s possible you may say something inaccurate or untrue, handing ammunition to the claims adjuster to challenge your case. When you hire an attorney to handle your claim, he or she can oversee all correspondence with the insurer and other opposing parties so you won’t have to worry about saying something that could hurt your case.
Speak to an ATV Accident Attorney
Were you injured in an ATV accident? Turn to the attorneys at Hilliard Law to discuss your options. Our award-winning trial attorneys know what it takes to succeed in even the most complex cases. We can review your situation as part of a free consultation. Dial (361) 882-1612 or fill out our contact form HERE to request a case review with an ATV accident lawyer.