What To Do After A Car Accident
Knowing what to do after a car accident is very important. How you deal with the situation immediately after the incident can directly influence your case either in court, or when you file insurance damages claims with your insurance provider. Therefore, to get fair compensation for your damages, there are vital steps you must take immediately after the incident. Below are some of them.
- Seek Safety First
Seeking safety is the first and most important thing to do after being involved in a car accident. If the car accident is minor, you can move your vehicle to a safe zone (maybe to the side of the road). Turn on your hazard lights and place a warning triangle behind your vehicle to alert other vehicles about the scene. If you don’t sustain any injury that requires immediate or emergency attention, don’t leave the accident scene until you gather adequate information.
- Snap Pictures of the Accident Scene
After seeking safety for yourself, take photographs of the incident to show the damages done to your car. These pictures will provide evidence about the incident either in court or when you file an insurance claim with your insurance adjuster. It can significantly influence the compensation you’ll get from your insurance provider for damages. That’s how important it is.
- Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Immediately after the accident, make sure you speak with the other party involved in the accident. Gather information about the other driver such as their name, address, vehicle description, driver’s license number, license plate number, policy number, car model, etc.
- Talk to Eyewitnesses
After speaking with the other driver, you should also look for eyewitnesses to the incident. Take time to speak with them and ask them questions about what they observed about the accident. Write down their names and contact information so you can reach them in future if need be.
- Call the Police
If there is serious property damage, injury or death during the incident, don’t hesitate to call the police. Request that a police accident report be filed as soon as the police arrive at the accident scene. Make sure you take the names and badge numbers of the officers as part of your information gathering.
- Follow up your Medical Treatment
Make sure you see a doctor for medical attention after the incident. Don’t take this step for granted. You might look okay after the accident, but you still need to see a doctor. A medical file could be helpful when proving your case to your insurance adjuster or court.
- Talk to an Attorney
If the accident results in injuries or serious car damage, you might need to talk to an attorney. To get your full damages compensation, you’ll need a legal adviser who can stand by you to make sure your rights are protected. Any of our experienced car accident attorneys at Louis Law Group can advocate for you in and out the courtroom.
