To be involved in a car accident is not easy, you feel bewildered and stranded. Knowing what to do in the aftermath can spell the difference for your safety, the viability of a personal injury case, and your wellbeing. Below, you will find the measures that you should take following car accident, as well as the role of a personal car accident lawyer.
1. Stay Safe and Call an Ambulance
The first thing to do after an accident has occurred is to check the overall welfare of all the people involved. If possible, get your vehicle out of the traffic lanes and turn its lights on, if oncoming drivers can see them, use safety cones/ triangles or flares. Finally, look for signs of damage, to yourself, other people or property. Dial the first aid if any person is injured as the injured requires immediate medical attention.
2. Contact Law Enforcement
In case of an accident inform the police. As we have established, an official police report is very useful for your auto insurance firm and a car accident lawyer. The police will then make notes of all that has been said and done surrounding the scene and take statements that you may use in the event that there were more issues in the future. Some officers may come handy at some point in the future so make sure to jot down their names and badge numbers.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Should police arrive at the scene, collect as much evidence as possible which is legal if not harmful to the innocent. Photograph the incident, the damages it caused to cars and the road, any traffic signs around, and if there were injuries. Record where the vehicles were located and any tire marks of the skid or any other parts of the crash.
Having traded contacts such as name, phone numbers, driver license numbers, your car registration numbers and insurance details with the other driver(s). If there were witnesses, gather their contacts too. This evidence to your personal car accident lawyer come in handy in fostering a stronger defense for your case.
4. Notify Your Insurance Company
The insurance company of the accident has to be informed on time. Policies will also expect you to report an accident within a given time span that is a time bound policy. But when reporting to the insurance company you should not allow guesswork in terms of blame. Just remember insurance companies may come back and use your statements against you at a later date. These are communications that can be dealt with by a car accident lawyer who focuses on personal injury cases so as to guard for your interests.
5. Document Your Injuries and Damages
Document all incidents involving any injury, medical attension or any medical care received or expense incurred. This documentation should include the prescription required for treatment by a doctor, a physical therapist or any specialist, medical bill receipts required and any sort of supportive devices required like crutches. Also capture non-pecuniary losses such as pain, suffering, emotional harm, or loss of enjoyment in the next part of the form which your personal car accident lawyer will assist you in quantifying in order to be compensated.
6. Avoid Discussing the Accident on Social Media
Much as you may want to share your experience on social media pages this can be disadvantageous to your case. Litigation lawyers and insurance claims executives especially scour social media platforms in a view to looking for any utterances, posts, pictures or activities that will have an adverse impact on the case.
7. Consult a Personal Car Accident Lawyer
Perhaps the most important thing to do after any car accident is seek the services of a personal car accident lawyer. Perhaps there are issues that you do not know exist like fault, insurance policies and insurance companies negotiations even if the accident seems simple. An experienced lawyer can help you:
- Evaluate Your Case: An attorney will evaluate the validity of your claim and explain the kind of damages you can apply for, including; medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
- Handle Paperwork and Legal Requirements: If you have a personal injury claim, there is much paperwork involved, and a mistake in any of the paperwork can affect your claim. An automobile accident attorney will take care of all paperwork and be conscious of time restraints.
- Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies will give offers almost immediately and the offers usually are far below what you can rightfully ask for. A lawyer will go out and represent you in the legal fight you need to ensure you are compensated fairly.
- Represent You in Court, if Necessary: If there is no agreement, a personal car accident lawyer can go to court; provide proofs and fight for yourself and your right.
8. Follow Your Lawyer’s Advice
During the practice, it is necessary to obey your lawyer’s instructions as much as possible. They may tell you not to perform certain acts, not to sign papers, or to visit certain physicians to bolster your lawsuit.
Conclusion
Always seek medical services and report cases with much attention, do not have a wrong move of engaging in social media, and contact the appropriate personal car accident attorney. With professional help, you and your loved ones can have your rights defended, compensation received fairly, and concentration made on healing.