Following the Steps After a Car Accident
Stay calm and resist the urge to panic
Take a few seconds to process what has just happened after the accident. Gather your thoughts before you take action. Act decisively but not rashly. Take a few moments to take in your surroundings, and then formulate a strategy before making any moves.
Inspect everyone in your vehicle for signs of injury
After you’ve recovered your senses, look at your car and yourself. Listen and look for any signs of injury. Signs of injury can be obvious, such as visible bones or blood, or subtle like mild neck pain or small bruising. You should seek medical attention if you notice any of these signs. If you or anyone else in the car with you does not show any signs of injury on the outside, focus your attention on any areas of your body that are in pain. You can ask everyone in the vehicle if they feel any pain. Ask them where and how severe the pain is. You can get a good idea of the type of injury they have by asking them these questions.
Safety for You and Others
After you have checked for injuries on everyone in your car, you should do what you need to to get everyone into a safe area where you can await the arrival of emergency personnel. You don’t want to become a victim of a second accident due to your inability to reach safety after the previous one. Search for a parking space, side street or parking lot nearby. If you can’t find one of these, park on the shoulder or side of the road.
Collect as much evidence on your own as possible while you are at the scene of the accident
Once you and those with you are safe, it’s time to begin collecting evidence. You can walk around and speak to any witnesses you find, including other drivers and passengers of other vehicles involved. Look at how everyone is acting and listen to what they say. Take as many photos as you can of the cars and people involved in the accident. These pictures will be needed by your personal injury lawyer to prove the case against the insurance adjusters or defense attorneys of the parties responsible for causing an accident.
Obtain Insurance Information From All Other Drivers Involved In The Accident
You will need to obtain the insurance information of other drivers at the scene if you wish to receive compensation from their insurance companies. Even the best car accident attorney may have a difficult time ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve if you do not follow this step. Before the police arrive, exchange insurance cards with other drivers to ensure you do not forget.
Talk to the police about what happened
You should call the police, even if it is difficult to do so. This will allow your accident to be properly documented and investigated. Even if you’ve already been contacted by someone else, you should still call the police if you believe you need an emergency vehicle. This will help them know how many vehicles to dispatch. Tell the officers what happened before, during, and after the incident. The officers will interview all those involved. Also, they will speak to independent witnesses. After they have taken statements, examined the damage to the vehicle and investigated the scene, the investigators will create a report that includes everyone’s contact details, the parties at fault and any citations issued. This report is important. You should keep a copy for yourself.
Seek medical treatment from licensed professionals as soon after the accident as you can
When it comes to medical treatment, time is crucial. Delaying treatment will only make your injuries worse and reduce their chances of healing completely. You should be able to transport yourself to the nearest hospital or doctor’s office so that you can receive treatment and examination. Ask for an ambulance if you require transportation due to the severity of your injuries or if your vehicle is not drivable. The sooner you get treatment, the better. Your auto injury attorney will be able to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident if you receive treatment as soon as possible. Waiting weeks, or even days to see if your symptoms worsen can cause your injuries to become irreversible. Don’t let it happen to you.
Keep track of all the documents related to your accident and injuries
It is often more difficult to prove your injury claim than you think. You’ll need to provide hard evidence that not only each injury is real, but that they are all related to the accident. You will need to retain a copy the police report as well as all your medical records and bills. Also, you should keep pictures of you, the vehicles involved in the accident, and any documentation that proves the amount of lost wages. All these documents should be kept in one place for easy retrieval and access. You will be rewarded for your organization by the auto injury attorney.
Do your homework when you are looking for an attorney to represent you in your claim
When you’re looking for an attorney to represent your injury claim, it is important to do some research. It is in your best interest and that of your family to hire the best lawyer for your car accident case to represent you at the negotiation table and the courtroom. Call West Coast Trial Lawyers and speak to an injury lawyer about your car accident. You can also get more information on how to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.