What Do You Do After a Car Accident?

Six Things You Need to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

Car accidents happen and unfortunately nearly every one of them was preventable. Statistically, everyone will likely be involved in a car accident at least once in their lifetime. We can only hope that it will be a minor one and no one was injured.

After a collision occurs, there are often many questions that you and the other driver will have. Who is going to fix my car? Is this going to raise my insurance costs? Do I go to the emergency room? How will I pay for my medical expenses? Does this person that just drove into me have insurance? Do they have enough insurance? Do I have enough insurance?

If you just suffered a motor vehicle collision, all of these concerns maybe overwhelming.

Here are six things you should do after a collision:

1. Stay at the Scene of the Car Accident.

If you are able, move your vehicle safely out of the way if it poses a danger to you, the public, or other motorist. Stay at the scene.

2. Call Law Enforcement.

Alert 911 to the scene of the collision so that law enforcement can investigate. When law enforcement investigates a traffic accident, the details of the accident are included in their report, which can assist your claim by resolving any disagreements. Further, vital witness information could be in the report which may have gone undocumented and forever lost.

3. Call a Family Member or Friend for Help.

Call someone you trust to come help you at the car accident scene. Injuries, such fractures, or brain injuries such as a concussion, may prevent you from adequately documenting a collision. If Law Enforcement is unable to arrive, having someone help obtain witness information, take photographs, and provide general assistance could preserve important information and more importantly help you obtain needed medical treatment.

4. Go to the Emergency Room or Seek Medical Attention.

If you sustained serious injuries or believe you may have suffered serious injury, call 911 for an ambulance for transportation to the nearest hospital. If you did not suffer life threatening injuries or you don’t feel aches and pains for several hours or a day after the collision, seek medical treatment with a medical provider. Accident victims often do not report pain at the collision scene, but shortly after the collision, they begin to feel aches and pain. It is important to document your injuries with a medical provider as soon as practicable.

5. Exchange Information.

Accidents happen and human nature compels us to apologize, even when we are without fault. No one wants to see anyone injured. Nevertheless, an apology will likely be used against you as it could be misconstrued as you are admitting fault. Insurance companies will use many reasons to deny a claim or minimize the amount they believe you are owed. Determine if the other party needs medical attention and call 911 if they do. But minimize how much you say to the adverse driver while getting their names, telephone numbers, address, driver’s license number (photos are handy), and passenger information. Again, the driver and/or their insurance company will actively look for any reason to avoid paying for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Too much talking may unintentionally provide them a reason.

6. Take photos to Document the Motor Vehicle Accident.

On occasion, Law Enforcement is unable or refuse to respond to a collision. Documenting the scene will help prevent and adverse driving from changing their story once they speak with their insurance companies.

If you are able, take pictures of your car and the other vehicles involved. Often, people focus on their own vehicle and crucial information is missed because they didn’t take a photograph of the other vehicles involved. Insurance companies will often attempt to minimize your claim if your vehicle has little damage, meanwhile completely ignoring that their insured’s vehicle sustained major damage. Also take photographs of your injuries immediately after the collision and while they heal.

Good photographs of the vehicles help document the seriousness of the collision and the seriousness of your physical, mental, and emotional injuries.

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Landsem Law Office is available for a free consultation.