Accidents are often unpredictable. They can happen in a twinkle of an eye, leaving wreckage and injuries in their wake. You should know what to do and how to react after an accident, especially if the crash wasn’t your fault. Phil Votaw & Associates handling auto accident cases note that your action right after the accident can make or mar your case in the future.
Preparing yourself to act right after an accident requires knowing the dos and don’ts of an accident scene. Below are some steps to take after you’ve been hit by someone else.
Check for injuries and stay safe
Accident injuries can be minor or fatal. The extent of the injury will depend on the type of accident, impact, and other factors. You should always check for injuries right after an accident. Doing this begins with a mental awareness of yourself and the extent of your injuries.
If you aren’t badly injured, check for passenger injuries or check on the other party involved in the accident. Contact the emergency medical response team if you or others have been badly injured due to the accident.
Ensure to describe the type of accident and avoid moving badly affected individuals to prevent health complications. Wait until the emergency response team is on-site to do their rescue job professionally.
While assessing the injuries sustained by affected parties in the accident, ensure that everyone is out of the way to prevent further accidents.
Call the Police
Hit and run accidents are strongly frowned upon by most states in the US. This means you should never attempt to leave the accident scene without first filing a police report. As the innocent party, in this case, you should ensure that the police get your side of the story to avoid any foul play from the other driver.
Wait at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. Ensure that they take a statement from you and provide as much information as possible about the accident. You may also request a copy of the police report, which is the first official documentation of the accident.
Gather relevant information
There’s a huge chance that the police may take some time to arrive at the accident scene. Use this time to gather as much information about the crash as you can. Take photos of the accident scene showing your vehicle and the other vehicle. Document any injuries you may have sustained and take videos of the accident scene.
You should also exchange information with the other driver. Ensure that you get their name, phone number, and address. You can also ask about their insurance company, policy number, etc.
While at the scene, take down information from the eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen. These eyewitnesses can be a valuable addition to your evidence chest at a later time. You can either interview the eyewitnesses or take their information down.
During this wait, make a note on your device stating the details of the accident. Ensure that you quote the date and time of the accident, location, weather condition, injuries sustained, etc. This is essential because your memory may fail you in the coming days, but you’ll have reference material to keep your account consistent.
Speak to your Insurance company
You should always inform your insurance company any time you get into an accident. Your insurer wants to know all of the valuable information about the crash, especially if they’ll be covering some or all of your damages.
Failing to call your insurance company within the first 24 hours of the accident can create a problem for you, especially when filing an insurance claim.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident lawyers have become an essential part of most accident cases. This is because the legal process involved in recovering compensation has become tougher, especially as more insurance companies are looking to pay out little or nothing to accident victims.
By hiring a qualified accident lawyer, you’ll get a chance to learn more about your case and how to proceed. Your accident lawyer will also educate you on the do’s and don’ts of personal injury cases and how you can navigate them excellently.
With an accident lawyer in your corner, you also stand a chance of getting a good estimate of your losses and seeking financial compensation for those damages. Your attorney will represent you during negotiations with insurance companies and ensure that you aren’t cheated out of your case’s worth.
