Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic event. It can affect you mentally and/or physically for the rest of your life. However, taking the appropriate steps immediately after being in a car accident can go a long way toward improving your circumstances.
Aside from making good choices to optimize your health and safety, you should also follow some basic car accident legal advice. This will help make sure your insurance covers the damages and pays for any medical bills. It can also be vital for pursuing justice, should there be any grounds for a lawsuit.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about what to do after an accident.
1. Collect Yourself and Check for Injuries
Regardless of if you’re in a major car accident or not, it can still spike your adrenaline, create panic, or induce a myriad of other emotions. However, it’s important to stay calm. Take a moment to catch your breath and check yourself for injuries.
Don’t react emotionally toward the other driver, even if it was their fault. As far as car accident legal advice goes, it won’t be good for you to approach the other driver with aggressive, angry, or hysterical behavior.
2. Identify Any Immediate Threats and Call the Authorities
If it’s safe to do so, get out of the car and assess the situation. If there are immediate threats to your safety (being on a busy highway), you need to ensure all parties are safe. This includes checking the other vehicle/s for seriously injured victims.
You’re required by law if you are involved in a collision to call 911 and notify the authorities. Make sure help is on the way. If the car accident is minor, move the vehicles to the side of the road.
3. Document Data and Evidence
You need to gather the important information from the other driver, both for your insurance and the police report (if the other drier decides to take off). Get the following information:
- Their name
- Their phone number (optional)
- Their insurance information (company and policy number)
- Their vehicle make and license plate number
Then, start collecting evidence and other important data from the scene. Here’s a quick list:
- Pictures of the scene (all vehicles, roadside evidence)
- Witness contact information
- Police report number
- Responding officer contact information
- Personal notes on the event
4. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Once the dust has settled, you need to report the accident to your insurance company. However, the best car accident legal advice warns you to be careful about what you say. Stick to the facts and don’t submit any written statements or allow them to record your testimony until you’re sure about what to say.
Additionally, avoid agreeing to settle early, which could result in inadequate compensation. Answer their questions, but don’t offer excess information.
5. See Your Doctor
Regardless of if you think you’re injured in a car accident or not, you should still see a medical professional. There are common delayed injuries you may not notice initially due to adrenaline, delayed muscle soreness, etc.
Make sure any injuries are officially documented by a doctor to optimize your insurance benefits.
6. Seek Car Accident Legal Advice
You are entitled to certain car accident rights as an insured motorist and citizen. However, you may need to hire car accident lawyers to ensure those rights are upheld.
For example, you may need legal aid to make your insurance company play ball. You may also have reason to pursue a lawsuit against the other driver or defend yourself against one from them.
Looking for More Great Information and Advice?
Now that you know a little more about car accident legal advice, you’re that much more prepared to respond accordingly if you’re ever involved in an accident. However, we still have more to give. Check out some of our other articles for more exceptional information and advice.
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