We have to start by saying that millions of car accidents tend to happen in the US alone annually, which means that you need to prepare yourself if it occurs. Of course, most of them involve only material or property damage.
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However, statistics state at least one in three accidents involve personal injury to passengers or drivers. Keep in mind that some of them end up in fatality, which is why you need to protect yourself beforehand.
If you have been in a car accident, it is vital to understand your interests and rights. That is the main reason why we created a list that’ll help you determine the course of action after a car accident.
Things To Do After A Car Accident
- Never Drive Away – The worst thing you can do is drive away from the scene because it can lead to severe consequences for your case. Apart from the idea that you will not be eligible for claims because you have not waited for law enforcement reports, you may be responsible for other issues. Since most highways and high-traffic roads feature cameras, it is simple for law enforcement to find you, which will lead to serious problems in the future.
- Protect the Scene – The easiest way to prevent further issues is by setting up flares, especially if an accident happened in the night. We recommend you to keep your flashers on. It would be best to keep you and your disabled car as safe as possible if you had a flashlight.
- Call the Law Enforcement – A logical step is to call someone who can create a relevant report you can use afterward while making a personal injury case. That is the main reason why you should call the police. Do not move until they reach you, and wait for them to create a report so that you can use it with the insurance company to get a vehicle claim. The most important thing is that vehicles should remain where they are unless they are creating traffic havoc. If you wish to know more about claiming compensation for car accidents, you should visit a link we shared with you.
- Record Everything – As soon as the law enforcement arrives, you need to meet an officer and tell every single detail that happened on a scene. If you are not sure about specific factors, you should say to the officer. The worst thing you can do is speculate or misstate facts that are crucial for your case. Since most injuries and pain become apparent hours after it happened, you should avoid stating that you are feeling okay. Instead, it would help if you waited for the medical records you can use for your case. It is vital to make relevant and individual statements of other people involved because the more accurate you are, the better chances you will have for the settlement.
- Take Pictures – Another important consideration is that you should use the mobile phone camera to take pictures of an accident site. At the same time, you should take pictures of your car, especially areas with transparent damage. In case you have injuries, you should picture them as well. It would help if you did it before the police arrive because picturing afterward can interfere with their investigation. That is the main reason why you should take them as soon as you can.
- Exchange Info – In most situations, an investigating officer will obtain all relevant information about the case. However, if the police are not responding on time, it is vital to obtain personal information such as name, phone number, and address from everyone involved, including eyewitnesses. You should also write down their insurance information, which will prove useful in a future settlement case. In case police respond to the accident, a police officer will get all relevant personal information from everyone involved. You can use the report to your advantage in the future, which you need to remember.
- Report an Accident – Since most car accident cases involve insurance companies, you need to notify them as soon as possible. Remember that policies require immediate reporting, which may affect your case unless you follow it. It would be best if you determined whether a particular coverage comes with medical benefits or not. Simultaneously, if you have private medical insurance, you should submit your accident-related bills to the insurance company to get a refund. Remember that if you decide to submit a claim, your insurance rates will not increase as a result.
- Medical Attention – We have mentioned that injuries and pain after car accidents tend to become transparent after a while. Of course, in some difficult situations, the injuries will be immediately apparent. On the other hand, even if you feel good, you should visit a doctor to determine whether you have underlying problems caused by accident. That way, you can make sure that you are okay. Remember that some problems will appear in the future, which is why you should prepare for potential problems before they occur. For instance, minor impacts can lead to permanent and severe injuries to your spinal cord, which is something you will not immediately notice. Simultaneously, if you were dazed or lost consciousness for a short period, you may have suffered a closed head injury or concussion. Neglecting medical care can lead to behavioral and cognitive changes, which is something you should remember beforehand. Go to this site: https://www.investopedia.com/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-a-7-step-guide-5089114 to learn steps you should take after an accident.
- Keep Accident-Related Documents – You should keep all your accident-related documents together. We are talking about claim number, adjuster as well as involved parties. By keeping receipts, contacts, and other files that will help you reduce expenses, you will be able to protect yourself against problems.
Final Word
The most important aspect is that you should find an attorney that will protect your rights along the way.
That is the main reason why you should find a proper attorney that will help you get the settlement you wanted in the first place.
Insurance companies will try their best to reduce the settlement amount, which you need to fight back with proper legal guidance.
