What steps will you take if you’re involved in a car accident? What can you do to remain safe while putting yourself in position to receive the appropriate compensation in the future?
If you’ve found yourself in this position in the past, you may know a thing or two about what comes after a motor vehicle accident. Even so, remember this: no two situations are the same.
For example, there is a big difference between a minor fender bender and an accident in which you are seriously injured.
You never know what will happen during and immediately following a car accident, but there are some steps you’ll want to take. Consider the following:
Stay at the Scene
You should never leave the scene of an accident unless you are 100 percent sure that all the details have been taken care of and you’re on the same page as other drivers and the police.
Remember this: if you leave the scene and another party was injured or killed, it could result in a crime that leads to serious consequences.
Check Your Health
A car accident can cause serious injury or even death. Even if you feel okay immediately following the crash, take the time to check your health. It’s possible that an injury could begin to show its symptoms over time.
Note: don’t forget to check on the health of your passengers as well. This is particularly true if people are in the vehicle, such as young children, who can’t do so themselves.
Call the Police
Even in the event of a minor accident, it’s always a good idea to contact the police. This is even more so important if you and/or one of your passengers has been seriously injured.
You want an officer to visit the scene, provide assistance, and create a police report. This report will work in your favor later on, especially as you attempt to receive compensation.
Call an Ambulance
There are many things you need to do after a car crash, but nothing is more important than your health. If you have suffered a serious injury that requires immediate attention, don’t hesitate to call an ambulance and remain in position until help arrives.
If you attempt to move after a serious injury, such as one to your head or neck, it could cause more harm than good.
Exchange Information
Whether or not you do this depends on your condition. If you’ve been seriously injured, you won’t have time for this step. Instead, you’ll need to wait for an ambulance to arrive and then deal with this at a later date.
However, if it’s possible to do so, you’ll want to share information such as your insurance policy details, name, phone number, address, license plate number, and driver’s license number.
Talk to Witnesses
Do you have reason to believe that another driver was responsible for the accident? You’ll want to collect as much witness information as possible. These people can speak on your behalf in the future, thus putting you in better position to receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Don’t wait to tell your insurance company that you’ve been involved in an accident. Tell them exactly what happened, while also sharing information on your injuries.
Note: if you aren’t comfortable answering a particular question, if your insurance company is trying to pressure you to take a quick settlement, don’t hesitate to take a step back and tell them you’ll need to contact them again in the near future.
Conclusion
Along with all the above, you’ll want to think about hiring a personal injury attorney. This person can provide guidance, ensure that you’re treated fairly, and answer any questions that come up during the process.
At our law firm, we have helped many people recover compensation after a motor vehicle accident. Once you reach out to us, we’ll review your case, meet with you in person, and tell you what steps to take in the future.
It’s our goal to protect your legal rights while helping you receive the compensation you deserve.
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