Accidents happen. Whether you were bumped from behind in a drive-thru line, hit at a busy intersection, or slammed into on the freeway, being involved in a car accident can not only be a physically painful experience but an emotionally taxing experience as well. You may also have many questions after the accident about what to do next, who will be deemed at fault, and what effect this will have on your insurance. Once the accident has occurred, it’s critical to follow the correct steps on what to do post-accident, whether it be examining yourself for injuries, correctly collecting insurance information, or realizing that you may need a skilled accident attorney specializing in automobile crashes.
Step 1: Safety First
After a car accident, safety is key, and moving to a safe area is essential. If you’re wondering if you should move your car after an automobile accident, that can depend on a few factors. If it is clear who the at-fault driver of the accident is, and the car is not totaled and is safe to drive, it can be moved to a safer and out-of-the-way location. This is important not only for those involved in the car accident but also to ensure that other automobile accidents do not occur due to the placement of the cars during the accident. If a car is totaled or is not safe to drive, it unfortunately needs to remain in place until law enforcement arrives. If moving the car would be dangerous in any way, it absolutely needs to stay in place.
What happens after a car accident that is not your fault? The first priority is always to move yourself to a safer place and your car if possible. The next step is to check if there are any injuries and then to reach out to law enforcement to let them know that there has been an accident. If you are not at fault in the car accident, it is extremely important to gather all the evidence you can to show precisely how the automobile accident occurred.
Key information also needs to be collected, which could be very important later, such as contact information of not only the driver but also the passengers. Photographs are also key, as well as contact details for the law enforcement drivers on the scene and a copy of the accident report. Collect as much information as possible. It will also be important to visit the doctor to make sure that you understand the full extent of your injuries. Even car accidents at slow speeds can cause injuries.
Step 2: Check for Injuries and Call for Help
After you have been in a car accident, it’s imperative that you check for injuries first thing. Focusing on your health and safety is the most important. Look for visible injuries, but also consider such symptoms as abdominal pain, any sort of discoloration of the skin, dizziness, coughing up blood, or any challenges with breathing. If you can, in addition to checking yourself for injuries, check the injuries of your passengers, any other passersby who may have been affected by the accident, and the passengers in the other car. While you should let law enforcement know that an automobile accident has occurred, depending on the injuries of the other passengers, there may be a need to call emergency services.
DISCOVER: Our Car Accident Attorney Services
Suppose you are unsure how serious your injury is. In that case, it is always better to call for medical attention, especially if you have any dizziness or feel yourself going in and out of consciousness. Do not underestimate the extent of your injury. Untreated injuries may only become more severe in time as well as more expensive.
What medical treatment should you seek after a car accident? If your injury is severe, you will want to go directly to the emergency room. However, if your injuries are not as severe, you may consider other doctors, such as a doctor at urgent care or your primary care physician. If you have a very specific injury, you may need to see a psychiatrist, neurologist, or other specialty physician.
Step 3: Exchange Information and Document the Scene
Being in a car accident is a stressful and traumatic experience. Even if you don’t sustain substantial injuries, you may feel very flustered. This makes it even more important to make sure that you carefully document the scene and gather all pertinent information.
Consider putting together a car accident journal. This will allow you to record and document your observations about the traffic collision and all details exactly as you remember. You don’t have to have an official notebook to complete your journal. You can take notes on your phone, which will still be effective. When filling out the information, make sure to include the date, time, and exact location of the accident. You should also include how exactly you feel the accident happened and what the other driver said happened. If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information. It is also important to document the weather and road conditions, as this can be pertinent to what may have caused the accident. Also, be sure to report any personal injuries or property damage. No details are too small when you are documenting all of this information. Make sure to gather the name, contact information, and insurance information from the other driver and the names and contact information of the other passengers involved.
You should also be prepared to document the car accident with photos. Important things to photograph include all vehicles involved in the crash, images of people at the scene, photographs of any injuries that may have occurred at the crash, any debris that may have been in the roadway, and any skid marks that may have occurred during the accident. You also should have close-ups of all damage, especially from different angles. If possible, make sure to frame your license plate in the shot and the license plate in the shot if the picture is of the other car involved in the accident.
Wondering how to file a police report after a car accident? Call 9-1-1 immediately after the accident to report it to the police or highway patrol. When they arrive, you will need to show several items to the other driver of the car, other people involved, or the officer, including your driver’s license, vehicle registration card, current address, and evidence of financial responsibility.
Remember, when law enforcement arrives at the scene, they are there to gather facts. Even though a car accident is an emotional experience, try to remain calm and not argue with the officer or the other people involved about what may or may not have caused the automobile accident. All car accidents must be investigated.
Car Accident Document Checklist
- The date, time, and exact location of the accident
- Your thoughts on how the accident happened
- Document how the other party involved in the accident thinks that the accident happened.
- Contact information for any witnesses of the accident
- Weather and road conditions
- Any personal injuries that occurred from the automobile accident
- Any property damage that occurred from the automobile accident
- Insurance information for the other driver
- Contact information for both the driver and any other passengers in the vehicle
Step 4: Legal and Insurance Considerations
When you are injured in a car accident, the first thing you should do is contact a personal injury attorney. The attorney can help you contact your insurance company and act as your advocate to make sure you get what you need after a car accident.
After a car accident, many victims try to battle for their claim on their own. However, with little or no legal experience, it can be very difficult to fight for an appropriate settlement on your own. Even if you have not been seriously injured, it’s important to keep in mind that injuries can become more serious in time, and even if it’s a minor injury, it can still cause lost wages, unexpected medical expenses, and vehicle damages, and with that in mind you may want to consider seeking legal advice, specifically from a car accident attorney. While some people may be hesitant to hire an attorney, the knowledge from an experienced attorney is invaluable. The team at Hale Injury Law works diligently to understand and meet the needs of every client to ensure that they receive the settlement they both need and deserve.
LEARN MORE: How Long Does Your Insurance Company Have To Settle A Car Crash?
Wondering when you should hire a car accident attorney? If you are in an automobile accident that has left you with serious injuries, a lawyer will be necessary to help you receive the compensation that you need. Hiring a lawyer may be necessary if the other driver denies responsibility or claims that you are partly at fault. Other needs for an attorney may occur when the accident involves more than two vehicles, or the insurance company is unresponsive. Check your state for more details, but if the car accident was not your fault, most states will hold the driver who caused the accident liable for any damages. If you did not cause the crash, you do have the right to file a claim against the insurance of the at-fault driver.
Step 5: Medical Follow-Up and Documentation
Even if you’re feeling fine after your car accident, it’s still extremely important to proceed with caution and seek prompt medical attention. Even if the check-in is with your primary physician, getting medical care after a car accident helps to diagnose any injuries that you may have missed and make sure that you receive the correct treatment. If you do end up needing an attorney after a car accident, it will also have been extremely important to have sought out medical attention because it will serve as documentation in case you want to use your rights to pursue compensation from your automobile accident. To have your medical appointment serve as documentation, make sure that you keep all receipts and paperwork from your appointment.
Medical Follow-Up Documentation Checklist
- Keep bills and receipts from any treatment
- Physical therapy records
- Records from any necessary follow-up appointments
- Any test or imaging results
- Keep any referrals or consultation records
- Records of any prescriptions
- Photographs of the injury, including bruises or scars
- Medical history records
- Notes from your physician
- Admitting notes
- Ambulance and emergency room records
You may be wondering if it is possible to be compensated for emotional distress caused by a car accident. It is possible to be compensated for the responsible party’s negligence. Emotional distress can manifest in people with feelings of fear, anger, grief, denial, and sadness. An experienced automobile accident attorney can guide you through pressing charges for emotional distress.
Step 6: Navigating the Claims Process
This is where it is critical to have a personal injury attorney on your side after a car accident. Your attorney can help you contact your insurance company and the insurance provider for the at-fault driver to begin a claim with their insurance representative. This can be an overwhelming part of the process, which is why it is helpful to have a team like Hale Injury Law to navigate it with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
What immediate steps should I take right after a car accident?
The most important thing to do after a car accident is to check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Your safety is the most important thing. Once that has been handled, you can move yourself into a safe location and call law enforcement officials.
Do I need to call the police after every automobile accident?
Every state has different laws for reporting car accidents. However, if there is severe vehicle damage or a serious injury, you may be required by law to call the police. It may not be necessary if the accident doesn’t cause injuries or the damage is minor. However, it still may be a good idea. Law enforcement can talk to all parties and document the accident in a report that may be helpful later.
When should I seek medical attention after a car accident?
You should always seek medical attention after a car accident. If the accident is serious, you will need to be transported to the emergency room. However, even if you think that you are fine, it’s still important to have a well-check with your primary care physician. They may be able to identify an injury that you have missed, and the earlier, the better. This visit to the doctor will also provide documentation of the accident, which you may need, especially if you discover an injury from the accident after the fact.
What should I include in my car accident checklist for documentation?
- The date, time, and exact location of the accident
- Your thoughts on how the accident happened
- Document how the other party involved in the accident thinks that the accident happened.
- Get witness contact information
- Weather and road conditions
- Any personal injuries that occurred from the automobile accident
- Any property damage that occurred from the automobile accident
- Insurance information for the other driver
- Contact information for both the driver and any other passengers in the vehicle
Do I need a car accident lawyer if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Hiring a car accident lawyer for an accident that wasn’t your fault is still a good idea because a lawyer can not only protect your legal rights but also make sure that you receive the appropriate compensation for any damages that you may have incurred.
How soon should I contact my insurance company after an accident?
You should wait to contact your insurance company until after you’ve spoken with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney can help you contact your insurance provider and advocate for you.
Can I get compensation if I experienced emotional distress from the accident?
It is possible to receive compensation for emotional distress from an automobile accident. Consult with your car accident attorney to help get compensation for this form of distress.
What if the other driver involved doesn’t have insurance?
If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can file a lawsuit against the negligent party or file a compensation claim with your insurance company. Your car accident attorney can assist you in filing these lawsuits and claims.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Car accidents are costly, emotionally taxing, and can cause a great deal of damage, whether it be in a medical capacity or physical damage to your car. Remember that once an accident has occurred, it’s critical to follow the correct steps on what to do post-accident, starting with remembering that your health and safety and that of your passengers are the most important, and you need to examine yourself for injuries. It is also key to collect insurance information correctly and document everything from the accident.
You may realize that you need a skilled car accident attorney who specializes in automobile crashes. Not only does a professional car accident lawyer provide reassurance and tailored guidance and assistance during a difficult time, but they can ensure a smooth recovery process by helping you get all that you need and deserve.
Take action after your car accident by seeking legal help and contacting Hale Injury Law. This simple phone call can help you through an extremely difficult time by achieving a positive result. You will be in the hands of knowledgeable and reliable accident attorneys who are dedicated to helping their clients recover both physically, emotionally, and financially. Fill out the form for a free consultation today.