What to Do If You’ve Been In a Car Accident
August 9, 2022 | Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 6 million car accidents occur throughout the country every year. These accidents range from minor fender benders to fatal collisions. The steps you take following a car accident are crucial for recovering compensation for damages that resulted from the accident. They can either make or break your claim.
Regardless of the level of severity of the car accident you are involved in, you most probably will be too shaken to think clearly after the accident. It is therefore important to learn what to do after an accident in order to improve your chances of securing compensation.
What to Do After an Accident
- Stop and protect the scene of the accident
Whether it was a minor bump or a serious collision, you should never drive away from the scene of an accident. You should stop and protect the scene of the accident. You can do this by setting up safety triangles, flares or even keeping your flashers on. Ensure that you and your passengers get out of the vehicle and wait by the roadside for assistance. Protecting the scene of the accident will help you avoid further damage and injuries from oncoming traffic.
- Contact emergency services
Check to see if there is anyone injured. If the accident has resulted in injuries or extensive damage to the vehicles, contact the emergency services or police. The emergency services will ensure that an ambulance and the police are dispatched to the scene of the accident. If no one is seriously injured, you can contact the police. The police report will be a vital piece of evidence seeking compensation for damages.
- Document the accident
If you are able to, document the scene of the accident by taking photos or recording videos. Take photos or videos of the vehicles and the damage caused by the accident. Record the state of the road and any injuries sustained as a result of the accident. Your pictures and videos will be used in determining fault. They will therefore be a vital piece of evidence in building a strong case on your behalf.
- Exchange information
If the police have been called in to the accident scene, they will take down the contact information of all drivers involved in the accident. They will take note of the contact information of passengers and witnesses. You should also make an effort to obtain this information. This is even more important in cases where the police have not responded to the scene of the crime. This information will be important in building your case and following up on compensation in future.
- Report the accident to the car insurance company
It is important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Find out if your policy includes medical benefits that you can access to cover your medical expenses. Many insurance policies have requirements for immediate reporting as well as full cooperation from the policy holders. Some policies will even cover immediate medical bills for car accident injuries.
- Seek medical care
Many accident victims are in shock immediately after an accident. You may therefore not be aware of injuries that you may have sustained during the accident. You may not feel pain immediately but begin to experience the pain a day or two after the accident. It is therefore important to seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident. A doctor will provide you with a full physical exam and uncover any injuries that require immediate attention. This will ensure you can avoid complications arising from the worsening of your injuries. The medical report will be used as evidence to show that the car accident caused your injuries.
- Contact an experienced car accident attorney
While it is possible to pursue car accident damages without the help of an attorney, it is best to involve a car accident attorney as early as possible. Car accident claims can become complex quickly. This is because insurance companies often aren’t willing to pay the full amount of compensation owed. They will look for ways to deny your claim or reduce the amount paid in compensation and minimize their losses.
An accident attorney will know how best to handle the insurance company. They will fight on your behalf to recover maximum compensation. Hiring an attorney will give you peace of mind. They will handle every aspect of the claims process while you focus on your recovery. Hiring a car accident attorney will improve your chances of having a favorable outcome.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, contact our law firm. We offer free consultation for car accident victims. Our experienced attorneys will fight to recover maximum compensation on your behalf.
What to Do If You’ve Been In a Car Accident