Being in a serious motor vehicle accident can be stressful and shocking, especially if you or someone you care about was injured during the incident. However, there are steps that you should take as soon as you can to help yourself. By following these steps, you can help protect yourself from liability for the accident and increase your chances for recovery for your accident.
Step 1: What to do at the scene of the accident
The first thing that you should do after an accident is to check for injuries, and to call for emergency services. If you are in a safe position, then document the accident with pictures of the damages sustained and the locations of every vehicle involved. Record details such as time, weather and road conditions, license plates and street signs, and if there are any witnesses try to get their contact information.
If your vehicle is still in the road and operable, try to move it to a safer location at the side of the road, but if that is impossible, wait for help to arrive. If the other driver or drivers attempt to talk to you, do not apologize for the accident. Exchange contact information and insurance information, preferably with photographs of the documents. Tell them you would like to wait for the police to arrive and get an official police report. After giving your statement to the police, you can request a copy of the police report for your records.
Step 2: After the accident
When you are cleared to leave the accident, go to your doctor or nearest emergency provider to be examined for injuries. Even if you are feeling fine, you may have suffered an injury that you have not felt yet because you are in shock. This can help to quickly establish any medical harm you may have suffered from the accident. Keep copies of all medical records you are given.
Once you are home, call your insurance provider and tell them what has happened. They can give you the information for the claims adjuster assigned to your accident and help direct you with additional information.
Step 3: Call an attorney
After taking all of the steps above, you should contact a personal injury attorney. Even in the best-case situation where the other driver’s insurance company admits fault and offers a settlement, you will need an advocate to help get you all of the compensation you need to fix your vehicle and pay for your medical bills.