Steps To Take (and Things To Avoid) After A Car Accident
A car accident can be devastating. Accident victims are often disoriented and have many questions about what to do right after the crash. Should I call the police? Is anyone injured? Whose fault was the accident? It is not uncommon that accident victims panic after a crash. Panicking, however, can really jeopardize your chances of receiving compensation in the even that you file a personal injury lawsuit. Knowing what to do right after a car accident can help ensure your legal rights are protected. Below are a few tips on what should be done immediately following a motor vehicle accident:
Call 911. Even if the crash was minor, and no vehicles were damaged or people injured in the accident, you should call 911 immediately after the accident. Often, there is damage to the vehicle that can't be seen to the naked eye or injuries suffered that won't show symptoms for days or more after the accident. In these cases, a police report will provide crucial evidence if you later decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
Write down contact information of other driver(s) and witnesses. Although the police will take down contact information for the other drivers, passengers and/or witnesses to the crash, it is a good idea for you write down this information, as well. Get the names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers, of everyone involved in the crash. In addition, you should also take note of the names and contact details of anyone who may have witnessed the crash.
Take photographs of the accident scene. Take your own pictures of the scene of the accident, if possible. Take photographs of the damaged vehicles, any injuries, and evidence at the scene of the crash, such as skid marks or debris in the roadway.
Seek immediate medical attention: As mentioned above, even if you don't think you were injured in the accident, seek immediate medical attention. Your injuries may not show signs or symptoms for many days or weeks after the accident. It is important to visit your doctor right away to uncover any hidden injuries you may have sustained in the accident and begin a regimen of treatment as soon as possible.
Call your insurance company right away. It is always a good idea to contact your own insurance company as soon as possible following the crash even if you were not at fault in the accident.
Knowing the steps to take immediately following an auto accident is essential to ensuring you receive just compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and any other damages caused by the accident. Knowing what NOT to do in the event of an accident is just as important as knowing what to do. Below are some common mistakes accident victims make that can jeopardize their personal injury case:
Not seeking medical treatment until days or weeks after the accident
Not informing your doctor of all of the injuries you may have sustained
Not following your doctor's advice after the accident
Settling with the other driver's insurance company on your own without seeking the advice of an attorney
In the event of an auto accident, heed the advice above to ensure that you receive just compensation for all of your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs and other damages suffered after the accident.
Call 911. Even if the crash was minor, and no vehicles were damaged or people injured in the accident, you should call 911 immediately after the accident. Often, there is damage to the vehicle that can't be seen to the naked eye or injuries suffered that won't show symptoms for days or more after the accident. In these cases, a police report will provide crucial evidence if you later decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
Write down contact information of other driver(s) and witnesses. Although the police will take down contact information for the other drivers, passengers and/or witnesses to the crash, it is a good idea for you write down this information, as well. Get the names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers, of everyone involved in the crash. In addition, you should also take note of the names and contact details of anyone who may have witnessed the crash.
Take photographs of the accident scene. Take your own pictures of the scene of the accident, if possible. Take photographs of the damaged vehicles, any injuries, and evidence at the scene of the crash, such as skid marks or debris in the roadway.
Seek immediate medical attention: As mentioned above, even if you don't think you were injured in the accident, seek immediate medical attention. Your injuries may not show signs or symptoms for many days or weeks after the accident. It is important to visit your doctor right away to uncover any hidden injuries you may have sustained in the accident and begin a regimen of treatment as soon as possible.
Call your insurance company right away. It is always a good idea to contact your own insurance company as soon as possible following the crash even if you were not at fault in the accident.
Knowing the steps to take immediately following an auto accident is essential to ensuring you receive just compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and any other damages caused by the accident. Knowing what NOT to do in the event of an accident is just as important as knowing what to do. Below are some common mistakes accident victims make that can jeopardize their personal injury case:
Not seeking medical treatment until days or weeks after the accident
Not informing your doctor of all of the injuries you may have sustained
Not following your doctor's advice after the accident
Settling with the other driver's insurance company on your own without seeking the advice of an attorney
In the event of an auto accident, heed the advice above to ensure that you receive just compensation for all of your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs and other damages suffered after the accident.
