Car accidents are unfortunate and unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to prepare ‘what to do’ in advance. Whether it is a minor car accident or a major collision, knowing what to do after the incident will help you protect your legal rights and get compensation smoothly.
In this article, we have explained the things you should do or take immediately after a car accident. Let’s explore them in detail:
1. Check for Injuries and Ensure Safety First
When traffic collisions happen, it’d be a strange experience for victims, but ensuring safety must be the first thing immediately after a car accident. First, check for injuries (if you have been injured or received any physical damage) and keep yourself safe. Knowing your safety, you need to take steps accordingly. For example, if you have been physically hurt, you need to call 911 immediately.
Besides, take your car to safety and inspect your car. Now, if you find anyone to support, take their help. If you are inside the car, immediately turn off the car engine. Meanwhile, if the car is running, stop it before turning the engine off. You can take a look at yourself (to check if you are injured) and your co-passenger/s.
2. Call the Police and Report the Accident
The next immediate step you need to take is to call the police and report the accident. If the accident is severe and involves injuries, or other serious damages, you must report this immediately. A police report is crucial to prove an accident and get the compensation you deserve. Besides, when you do a police report, you protect your legal rights. That means from insurance companies to court, everywhere police reports will play a crucial role in getting new compensation and fair claims.
3. Exchange Information with Other Drivers
If there is an accident and you have been hurt there must be someone at fault. The driver at fault may try to escape the accident spot. It is possible you may never know who the driver was. Hence it is important to exchange information with other drivers. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers with all drivers involved. Please note: Ask to see driver’s licenses and vehicle registration to verify the information.
4. Document the Accident
Accident evidence is the most crucial part that you must collect and document yourself. From photos and damaged vehicles to traffic signs and conditions, there are plenty of things that you must collect and document. Most importantly, take photos of the scene using your phone camera, damage to vehicles, and any relevant traffic signs or conditions. With each evidence keep detailed notes of what happened. You can also get contact information from any witnesses.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Importantly, you must notify your insurance company and let them know about the sequence of events. Brief them about the accident and report if there is any injury and the kind of damage to vehicles. Sometimes vehicle owners do not report accidents to insurance providers considering they are not at fault. You do not make this mistake: an accident must be reported even if you believe you are not at fault.
6. Seek Medical Attention
First off, even if you are not injured or seriously injured, you must seek medical attention. See a doctor to check for any injuries, including hidden ones. It’s not just crucial for seeking insurance claims, but also for your future health. For example, there are some injuries that don’t show up or appear in the beginning or at the time of the accident, but later it can create a big problem. To avoid such circumstances, you must consult the doctor and get examined yourself.
7. Avoid Admitting Fault
Whether you are at fault or not: is something that is not for you to decide. Let the law do its course. You must never admit fault, at least before having a thorough consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your insurance companies and law enforcement will determine fault after going through a thorough examination and investigation. You must not speak or do as guided by your accident attorneys.
8. Keep a Detailed Record
You have documented evidence, you have police reports, witnesses, and more to prove and protect your legal rights. However, ensure that you have documented everything with details. Keep a file with all accident-related documents, including police reports, medical bills, and communication with insurance companies.
9. Hire Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Last but not the least, you must hire the best accident lawyers in your area. They are the ones who will help you get the desired compensation you deserve. However, the lawyers must be experienced and have fought similar cases. You can take the help of Google to find lawyers or connect with us to get the best legal representative in your selected regions.
Where Do ‘MVA Attorneys’ Come In Between?
MVA Attorneys is the most reputed platform and legal marketing agency that helps you not only understand your legal rights but also find suitable attorneys, including personal injury lawyers to get justice. When an accident happens, seeking a claim is the most cumbersome task. We help car accident victims see claims that they deserve. For that, we review their case (FREE) and based on their case, we connect them with the right lawyers. If this has been the case with you, you can connect with us and get comprehensive support.