If you have been in a car accident, you may be injured and likely experience a whirlwind of emotions. If you are not severely hurt and able to handle everything that you should at the scene, here is what you should do immediately after a car accident:
What Should You Do Immediately After a Car Accident
If you’re in a car accident, the first thing you should do is make sure everyone involved is safe and seek medical attention if necessary. Then follow these steps:
- Keep Calm: It is important to stay calm and avoid arguing with other drivers.
- Move to a Safe Place: If your car is still driveable, park it on the side of the road or in a safe place. Turn on the hazard warning light.
- Call the Police: Call the police and report the incident. Include your location, a brief description of the incident and any injuries sustained.
- Exchange of Information: Exchanging information with other drivers, including name, phone number, insurance company, policy number and license plate number.
- Photo: Takes a photo of the scene, including damage to the vehicle and the surrounding area.
- Gather Witness Information: If there are witnesses to an accident, collect their contact information.
- Call your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
- See a doctor: Even if you feel well, it’s important that you see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident.
Remember that it’s important to prioritize your safety and well-being after a car accident. Stay calm, gather information and, if necessary, consult a doctor.
- Contact local law enforcement.
- Document the scene of the accident with photo and video evidence.
- Talk to the other driver(s) and provide each other with insurance information, and exchange contact information with drivers and potential witnesses.
- Go to a doctor for treatment.
Steps to Take After an Accident
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after a car accident, but immediately after an accident, there are important steps you need to take to claim compensation from the insurance company.
Call the Police
Police play an important role in car accidents because sometimes they can determine who is at fault at the scene. They also write crash reports containing important details that you can use if you decide to take legal action. An attorney may obtain this document in order to use the information contained in it to your advantage. You should ask the responding officer for the police report number.
Take Pictures and Videos
Photos and videos are important evidence in a motor vehicle accident. If there are no cameras recording the accident, photos are helpful as they show the damage which can help determine the damage. It is important to document the license plate number, the part of the vehicle that was hit and where the car was on the road. Having photographic evidence can make a significant difference in your case.
Get Medical Treatment
Regardless of how you feel physically or the type of accident, it is very important to see a doctor after a car accident. Emergency services will take your vital signs and ask questions about your condition to find out your current condition. Even if you feel fine after the accident, that doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt. Some injuries take time to manifest.
If you are in pain or have an unusual feeling, you should go to the emergency room. Make sure you get a copy of your injury documentation as this is necessary information for insurance adjustments. You need to keep abreast of treatment, costs, and the impact of unintentional injuries on your daily life. This will help determine the value of your claim.
Exchange Information with Other Drivers and Eyewitnesses
Even if you don’t want to talk too much about the accident in order to avoid liability, you should exchange names, phone numbers and insurance information with other drivers. This information includes insurance companies, policyholders and policy numbers. In addition, the vehicle description and vehicle identification number are also important.
If there are bystanders, talk to them and find out what they saw. Then ask if they provide their contact details to talk about what they saw and defend you by stating how the other driver was at fault in the accident.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Filing a claim with an insurance company is an important part of what you must do in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. If you live without fault, you will make a claim with your insurance company, although in certain scenarios you may be able to claim compensation from the negligent driver’s insurance company. Otherwise, report the damage to another driver’s insurance company.
You don’t have to endure difficult phone calls with an uncooperative insurance adjuster. Auto accident lawyers can handle this and negotiate with the experts.
If the claim adjuster refuses to offer you compensation due, an attorney can take your case to court and fight for financial compensation due to you. If it’s your first time talking to the insurance company yourself, discontinue the affidavit. Insurance companies can twist people’s words and make it seem as if the victim is at fault.
Consult with a Car Accident Lawyer From Ben Crump Law, PLLC
Car accidents can cause stress and anxiety, and you may not know your best interests during negotiations. You can benefit from the advice of an auto accident attorney who can advise you and work on your case. Ben Crump’s Law, PLLC will fight for the best outcome for you.
We can help compensate for economic and non-economic damages. This includes medical expenses and pain and suffering that are compensation for your physical and mental suffering.
All you have to do is cure your accident while the car accident attorney takes your case and represents you. Remember, you only have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. Many states set a time limit for how long you must file for financial compensation for your injury.
Call 800-691-7111 today for a free consultation with a member of our team.
