If you're involved in an auto accident, you need to act quickly. Here's what you should do.
- Seek immediate medical attention. This may not actually be the first thing you do, but it's by far the most important. Even if you feel fine, you need to get checked out by a doctor. Go to an urgent care clinic or hospital emergency room right away, and follow up with your primary care doctor as soon as possible. This is the best option for your health. It also protects your interests in case an insurance company later tries to dispute your injuries.
- Take pictures of the scene. That includes vehicle damage, skid marks and any other visible evidence from the accident scene. If you have any visible injuries, take pictures of those as well. Document anything you can about the accident scene, including guardrails, traffic signals, signs and the road surface itself.
- Exchange contact information. It's against the law to leave the scene of an accident without exchanging contact and insurance information with the other driver. You also need to get contact information from any witnesses. However, keep your comments at the scene brief, sticking to the facts of what happened. You don't want to say anything that could be construed as admitting responsibility for the crash.
- Call the police. The police accident report is a critical piece of evidence in your case. Call the police, remain at the scene until they arrive and follow the responding officer's instructions. Be sure to get the police officer's name and badge number, and follow up with the police department to get a copy of the accident report.
- Start an accident journal. As soon as possible after the accident, write down your memory of what happened. Every detail counts. Each day, make note of your pain and physical symptoms from your injuries, and write down how those injuries have affected your day-to-day life. This information will be important for your future claim.
- Notify your insurance company. You need to make timely notification to your insurance company that you were involved in a crash; otherwise, they may deny your claim. Again, keep your comments brief and describe only the facts of what happened. Direct any further questions to your attorney.
Contact us. After an accident, you need to focus on your recovery. Meanwhile, the insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line - which means paying you as little as possible. That's why your best option is to contact us immediately and get an experienced attorney on your side. We can start building your case for all the compensation you deserve while you focus on getting better.
Being involved in an accident is confusing and often overwhelming. Finding the right legal representation shouldn't be. Get a fighter on your side right away after an accident. Contact us online or call 1-877-962-4373 for your free consultation.
