No one ever plans on getting into a car accident. But in a matter of moments, your routine drive to work or around town can become a life-changing event. After a car accident, it is common to feel a rush of adrenaline or experience some degree of shock, making the incident highly stressful. These situations often make it difficult to think clearly. Unfortunately, there are some critical issues you must address immediately after a car accident. Will you know what to do?
It is a good idea to print out the following information and keep it in your glove compartment. Knowing what to do after a car accident can make a tense situation easier to handle.
Necessary Steps While You are at the Accident Scene
The first thing you should always do after a car accident is to check to see if anyone in your vehicle has been seriously injured. If so, call 911 and request medical attention immediately. Do not attempt to move someone who is unconscious or complains of back or neck pain. It is best to leave this to medical professionals so that you do not make the injury worse.
Always take down the following information from the other driver:
- Driver’s name, address and phone number
- Driver’s license number and license plate number
- Insurance information
If there are witnesses at the scene, you should take down their names and contact information as well. Do not guess at the cause of the car accident or admit fault where you are unsure of all of the factors that led to the accident.
You should also take pictures of any damage to the vehicles as well as photos of the accident scene. Photos of skid marks or the positioning of the two cars after the accident can help strengthen your case. A cell phone camera will work fine.
Call the Law Offices of Marc S. Albert for a Free Consultation
Being injured, or losing a loved one, in an aggressive driving accident is an emotional experience, in which thoughts of legal action are secondary to recovery. Taking action is necessary to make sure that the losses associated with your injuries are covered by the parties responsible.
Marc Albert offers seasoned and compassionate legal representation to victims of aggressive driving accidents. The Law Offices of Marc S. Albert serves clients from offices in Astoria, Brooklyn, and Syosset. Contact our office online or at 855-252-3788 to discuss your possible claims with an attorney today.
Call the Police
Call the police and request they dispatch an officer to the scene. When the officer arrives, he will interview all parties involved along with any witnesses, examine the accident scene, and fill out an accident report. Having a police report that indicates the other driver was at fault can significantly improve your case.
Always be truthful when responding to the police officer’s questions, but do not admit fault if you are not sure as to the cause of the accident. An admission of guilt on the police report can potentially jeopardize your ability to recover damages in a car accident claim.
Call Your Insurance Company
You are legally required to call your insurance company to report the accident promptly. Always be honest about what happened during the car accident. If you have injuries, let your insurance company know. If you are not truthful with your insurance company, they can potentially disclaim coverage.
While you must be honest, it is best not to admit fault or sign any statements without consulting an experienced car accident lawyer first.
Seek Medical Attention
You should always seek medical attention after a car accident. Go to a doctor even if you are not sure that you’ve been seriously hurt. Often, car accident injuries can take days or weeks before symptoms manifest. Visiting your doctor will ensure you receive the treatment you need before your injuries get worse.
Seeking medical attention right away also serves to document your injuries. If you wait several weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company may claim the car accident did not cause your injuries in an attempt to reduce your compensation.
Consult an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
If there were no serious injuries sustained as part of your car accident, then you most likely can deal with the insurance company yourself to receive reimbursement for the damage to your vehicle. But if you were injured during the car accident, you should consult an experienced persona injury attorney at once.
The sooner you hire a lawyer, the easier it will be for your lawyer to build your case while evidence is fresh and witnesses remember the incident. Your lawyer can also deal directly with the insurance company so that you can focus all of your energy on recovering from your injuries.
