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What to do After a Car Accident

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

What to do After a Car Accident

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

AskTheLawyers™

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What To Do After a Car Accident

Important Factors To Consider in the Aftermath of a Car Accident

If you have ever been in a car accident, you should already know that this event could be one of the most unsettling incidents you will ever experience. This traumatic event can happen to anyone, in just about any roadway. While you can’t always safeguard from these types of accidents since they can often occur because of someone else’s negligence, you can educate yourself on what steps you can do following an accident in order to diminish further dilemmas.

If you have been in a car accident, there are several events that follow which you should prepare for. Most commonly, you will need to:

  • File for a police report,
  • File an insurance claim,
  • Get your vehicle fixed or even replaced, and/or
  • Seek medical attention.

In the event that you have been in a car accident and are in need of legal representation, contact an established attorney who can advocate for your rights. Being involved in a car accident can be stressful; an experienced attorney can help guide you through the process. The following are important and immediate factors you should consider in the aftermath of a car accident.

  1. Do not attempt to drive away from the scene.

If you are involved in a car accident, you should never attempt to flee the scene. Despite how minor the incident could have been, leaving the scene can have devastating consequences on you and/or your driving record. You can be cited and even arrested for leaving the scene of a crash.

There are times, however, in which you will need to move your vehicle out of the way for traffic. If it is safe to do so, pull over to the nearest safe zone and be sure to put your emergency lights on. If your vehicle is no longer operable, be sure to remove yourself from danger and place yourself in the safest place you can.  Leave your car for a towing truck to move if it necessary.

  1. Seek medical attention immediately.

Unfortunately, there will be car accidents that could have devastating results on a person. If you, someone else in your car, or even the driver and/or passengers from the other vehicle(s) were injured, contact medical services immediately.

Since automobile accidents can be traumatic, it is common that the need for medical attention will not be immediate. This can often happen due to the trauma and/or adrenaline rush you might be experiencing after the incident. If you begin to experience pain after an accident, be sure to seek medical attention.

  1. Contact your local police agency.

If you have been in an automobile accident and no one resulted injured, it is still a reasonable idea to contact the local police. A police officer can not only help with the traffic control to avoid other accidents from happening, he or she can also talk to potential witnesses, collect evidence, and more importantly, file an official report. Having a police report made can help both parties with their respective insurance claims.

When speaking to a police officer, be sure to tell him or her exactly what happened. If you are unsure of certain facts, do not attempt to claim things and instead say that you are unsure. If a police officer asks if you are injured and are unsure, be sure to tell them so instead of stating that you are not. Injury and pain from an auto accident can often come hours after the event has taken place. Stating that you are not injured when you are otherwise unsure could potentially be held against you in an insurance claim.

  1. Take detailed notes of the event.

In order to help your insurer adjuster, write down visible property damage. Take note of both weather conditions and the time of day. Both of these factors can negatively affect a driver’s ability to travel safely. Obtain the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses, as well as the other parties involved in the auto accident. Be sure to get his or her insurance information, and make note of the vehicle’s license plate number.

  1. Take photographs of the accident scene.

More and more drivers are installing dash-cams on their vehicles. While you may have an installed camera in your car, it is still a good idea to take pictures of the accident scene. Be sure to obtain pictures of the impact, vehicle damages, street signs, and road conditions.

  1. File an insurance claim.

After you have received medical aid and are in a secure location, contact your insurance firm to file a claim. Ask to see if you qualify or are otherwise covered to receive medical benefits as part of your automobile insurance coverage. In the event that you are covered, you will likely need to submit medical records to the insurance company.

  1. Contact an experienced attorney.

Being involved in a car accident can be a very upsetting experience. Despite the seriousness of the accident, contacting an experienced attorney can benefit your situation. Whether you are being blamed for the incident or are not being properly covered by the insurance company, seeking the advice and support of a legal professional can benefit you. Preparing for an accident or taking other precautions is often not enough. Seek the guidance and support of an attorney who will advocate for your rights throughout this harrowing ordeal.

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