We spend so much time behind the wheels of our automobiles that we often forget the amount of risk we put ourselves in just by getting on the roadway. Accidents are far too common and they can be debilitating and life-changing.
The steps that you take immediately following an accident can be essential to the future of your health and financial stability. A failure to take proper action can force you into a very bad position.
There are several steps that you should take immediately following a car accident. Need some car accident help or advice? We’ll walk you through what you need to know below.
At the Scene of the Accident
No one leaves their house in the morning with the expectation of getting into an accident that day. Automobile accidents can be surprising, terrifying, and unexpected. It can be hard to think straight and make the proper decisions following a collision, especially a severe one.
However, the steps you take immediately following the accident can be incredibly important.
Check for Injuries
First and foremost, you’ll want to check on the health of yourself and others in your vehicle. Has anyone been injured in any serious way? If the answer is yes, you should call 911 immediately and have medical help be sent to the scene.
Make sure to do a thorough check of yourself and your passengers. As we mentioned, a car accident is a surprising event and it will most likely throw all involved in a state of shock. When the body is in shock, adrenaline courses through and can mask pains, aches, and other issues.
You might not even realize that you’re actually injured until your body has calmed down and adrenaline levels have subsided. This is why you should always avoid telling other drivers or the police that you haven’t been injured– you never know for sure until you can see a doctor.
Once you’ve ensured the well-being of those in your vehicle, move your car off the road and out of danger of oncoming traffic. If you can, get out and check on the drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident.
If any of them have been seriously injured, call 911 immediately as well.
Take Photos and Videos
Once you’ve established that everyone is involved is okay, it’s time to start the work of gathering the evidence you’ll need to sort out the aftermath of the accident. If the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, you will have a right to compensation under the law.
Even if you think you might be the one that caused the accident, it’s still best to gather this evidence and avoid taking fault at the scene of the accident itself. You might not have all the information.
For example, you might have hit a vehicle, but you were unaware that this vehicle was speeding through a red light, thus creating a cause for your collision. Taking the blame for an accident immediately following is never a good idea because this admission could be used against you later during negotiations.
The photos and videos you take of the scene of the accident will be key evidence in these later negotiations. Make sure to establish the placement of the vehicles on the roadway and get good footage of the damage done to cars and individuals.
Everyone has a camera in their pocket these days (your phone!) so there’s no reason to leave the scene of the accident without this evidence in hand.
Following the Accident
With this gathered evidence in hand, it’s time to leave the scene. However, there’s still more work that needs to be done if you want to ensure a stable future for yourself.
Visit a Medical Professional
Even if you feel perfectly fine, it’s a good idea to visit a medical professional as soon as you possibly can following an accident. There are multiple reasons for this trip.
For one, a doctor will be able to inspect you and ensure that you are actually in good health. As we mentioned previously, there’s always a chance you’ve been injured but might be unaware of the problem. Catching these injuries early can greatly help your recovery.
In addition, a report from your doctor will be a key piece of evidence. It will be conclusive reporting on injuries you’ve sustained due to the accident. You will need this information from a doctor when speaking to another driver’s insurance company.
Talk To an Experienced Attorney
There are some car accident incidents where you might not need an attorney to take on your case. In most instances, however, this is not a task you will want to take on all on your own.
You’ll be working with an opposing driver’s insurance company to get the compensation that you deserve. Insurance companies hire a team of highly trained attorneys who will attempt to low-ball or outright deny as many claims as possible.
Unless you’ve got some sort of background in these matters, it’s very easy to leave these negotiations without getting the compensation that you need and have a legal right to.
Hiring an experienced attorney will ensure you put your best foot forward and have a fighting chance to get the financial support that you need.
Car Accident Help: Understanding What to Do
If you’ve never been in an automobile collision before, you might need a little car accident help and advice to get through the aftermath of this event. The above information can help guide you through the steps you should take following a car accident.
Need more help with your case? Give us a call anytime for a free consultation.
