Every year, more than 10 million vehicle and light truck collisions occur in the United States. Many of these, however, result in injury. You don’t believe it will happen to you until you hear the dreadful metal crunch. When you’re in a car accident and don’t know what to do next, it can be a stressful situation. When you’re in an accident, your mind is clouded by adrenaline, worry, and shock, making it difficult to recall what you’re meant to do. But don’t worry, we’ve thought of everything. Let’s go over everything you need to know about what to do in the aftermath after you get involved in a car accident.
1) Seek Medical Attention
Car accidents are traumatic events and they can cause serious physical damage. There are some injuries that might not be visible right away but will surface later on as the body heals. Some of these include whiplash, herniated disks in your spine, spinal cord damage, and a concussion. If you’re involved in an accident it’s important to get checked out by medical professionals to make sure there is no hidden injury or other condition that could worsen with time if left untreated. The sooner you seek medical attention the better! Sometimes people don’t seek medical attention because they think there’s nothing wrong with them and that they’re just being a baby. But if you’ve been in an accident, there’s a good chance you’re not thinking straight. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so go get checked out!
2) Call Your Lawyer
You may be wondering whether you need a lawyer or if you should try to deal with the insurance company yourself. If the accident wasn’t your fault and if you have injuries, it’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. As suggested by legal professionals at https://silkmanlawfirm.com/car-accident-lawyer/, even injuries that seem minor at first can leave you with significant financial losses. Your lawyer will be able to help you file a police report, deal with the insurance company, and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
3) File a Police Report
When a car accident occurs, it’s important to file a police report. This document will be used as evidence in any legal proceedings that may occur and it will also help the insurance company determine who is at fault for the accident. When you file a police report, be sure to include as much information as possible about the accident, such as what happened, where it happened, the time, and the weather conditions. Police reports can be filed in person or online.
4) Photograph the Scene
If possible, it’s a good idea to take photographs of the scene of the accident. This will help you remember what happened and it will also be useful as evidence in any legal proceedings. Be sure to photograph the cars involved in the accident, the surrounding area, and any injuries you may have sustained. If possible, do a video walkthrough of the location after you’ve taken a few images. This will enable you to offer a more accurate account of the occurrence, and you may uncover evidence that you had overlooked previously. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on what other types of evidence would be useful in your case.
5) Talk to the Witnesses
If there were any witnesses to the accident, it’s important to talk to them. Ask for their contact information and find out what they saw. Witness testimony can be very valuable in car accident cases. Keep the following in mind: their whole name, when was the last time you spoke to them, and specifics regarding what they saw (the order the events transpired, etc.). With the witness’s agreement, you can record the audio of your talk if you are unable to write down facts.
6) Decide Whether to Claim an Insurance Claim
After an accident, you may be wondering whether you should file a claim with your insurance company. This is a decision that should be made with the help of your lawyer. There are pros and cons to filing a claim and it’s important to weigh all the factors before making a decision. Depending on the circumstances, your lawyer may advise you to file a claim or to wait and see if the other driver’s insurance company will offer you a settlement.
7) Relax and Take Things Slowly
After an accident, it’s important to take things slowly. If possible, take some time off work to recover. This is a stressful time and you don’t want to add to the stress by trying to deal with the aftermath of the accident on your own. Let your lawyer take care of the legal aspects of the case and focus on getting better. You’ll be able to handle things more effectively once you’ve regained your energy.
When you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to take things slowly and to make decisions with the help of a lawyer. There are many steps that need to be taken after an accident occurs, and trying to do everything on your own can be overwhelming. Our guide has outlined what you need to do in order to protect yourself legally and financially after an accident.
