The odds are not in our favor.
A car accident occurs every minute.
You read that right. Every minute of every day, 365 days a year, someone is involved in an auto accident.
Every 16 minutes, one of those accidents is fatal.
The likelihood of you going your entire life without being involved in a motor vehicle accident is very, very slim.
You might have a better shot at winning the lottery.
Luckily, most of the time, we'll be able to walk away without sustaining serious accident injuries or vehicle damage.
Minor collisions can cause bumps and bruises, but nothing that should change the course of your life or require emergency medical attention.
However, since the chances of being involved in an automobile collision at some point in your life are high, you should be prepared.
No matter how minor the accident is, the whole process, including filing an accident claim, can be overwhelming.
Your adrenaline starts pumping, and immediately after the wreck, it's hard to figure out exactly what to do.
If you've been injured in a car accident, it's important to contact an experienced Car Accident Attorney as soon as possible.
Several things need to be done after an auto collision, but we've narrowed it down to five of the most important things below.
Read on to learn more.
Table of Contents:
- Make Sure Everyone is Okay
- Seek Medical Attention
- Call the Police
- Give An Accurate Record of the Events
- Exchange Information With Everyone Involved
- Bonus Tip - Photos!
- Get The Help You Deserve After a Car Accident
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Okay
Without question, the most important thing you need to do after an accident is to determine if anyone involved needs emergency assistance.
Before you do anything else, make sure emergency personnel have been notified if someone has been seriously injured.
This includes any passengers you had with you, everyone in the other driver's car, and any pedestrians who might have been involved.
Even if someone doesn't appear to be injured but seems "out of it," contacting emergency officials right away could be life-saving, especially if they have sustained a brain injury.
It's important to remember that not all injuries are visible. Internal injuries can be life-threatening, and every second waiting to get emergency care can make things worse.
2. Get Medical Attention
This was implied above, but it's worth mentioning again.
Even if emergency services are not necessary at the accident scene, you should still seek medical assistance within 24-48 hours of the accident.
Accident victims don't always have apparent injuries, and it might take hours, days, or even weeks for accident symptoms to show up.
Getting medical care right away makes sure things don't get worse before symptoms start to reveal themselves.
Even minor accidents can lead to severe injuries that require medical treatment, hospitalization, or even surgery.
The bottom line is that whether you're hurting after your automobile accident or not, getting examined by a medical professional is crucial to your health and the auto accident claims process.
There's no reason to put your health at risk.
Also, if you end up filing a personal injury claim, the extra documentation from the hospital will benefit your case.
3. Call The Police
Even if the accident is minor and everyone involved is being civil, you should still contact a police officer right away to make an official accident report.
Having a police report is critical to any claim you might try to pursue against the at-fault driver.
It'll also help to have a police report when you're dealing with your insurance company or the insurance company of the negligent party.
If possible, all vehicles involved in the accident should remain as they are unless you're in danger. This will help law enforcement file an accurate accident report.
If you have to move your vehicle to a safe spot, turn on your hazard lights and try to do so without disturbing any crucial evidence.
4. Give An Accurate Record
Once the police arrive, you'll need to tell the investigating officers exactly what happened, to the best of your knowledge, for their official record.
If you aren't sure of certain facts, say so.
Don't guess, speculate, or misstate any facts. False information could be used against you in court or by an insurance adjuster.
If they ask if you're injured and an injury isn't apparent, tell them you aren't sure. Never tell them you are not hurt.
As we've already discussed, the pain and injuries from car accidents aren't always immediately obvious, so never assume you're unharmed.
Also, while remaining civil and avoiding confrontation, make sure the statements made by everyone else involved are accurate as well.
5. Exchange Information With Everyone Involved
Even if you call the police and get a report, you should still exchange information with everyone who was involved in the accident.
Sometimes the other driver will tell you they don't want to get their insurance company involved, but you should still make a point of asking who their insurance company is and exchanging information.
Get everyone's name, address, and phone number, along with the name of their insurance company.
Jot down the make, model, and tag number of their car, and make sure they have your information as well.
You'll also need the names and numbers of everyone who witnessed the accident.
BONUS: Take Pictures Of The Scene
This used to be a lot harder than it is today.
Now that everyone has a smartphone, there's no reason not to take pictures of the scene of the accident.
Take pictures of accident debris, road conditions, street signs, skid marks, property damage,
If you have visible injuries, take pictures of them as well.
Always remember, though, that you should never interfere with an ongoing police investigation.
If you cannot take pictures at the scene of the accident due to injury or any other reason, take them as soon as you can afterward.
Preparation Is Key
If you haven't been already, you are probably going to be in a car accident at some point.
But don't worry—that's no reason to become a hermit, and never leave your house or drive anywhere.
Most accidents are minor fender benders, and we recover quickly from them.
And if you're prepared and you know what to do after an accident, it will make things much easier on you.
Doing the six things we talked about above will make your life much more manageable after your accident.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for Legal Representation
If you were involved in a car crash, hiring a personal injury attorney is a crucial step to help with your claim.
Accident lawyers are your best option for the post-accident process and filing an auto insurance claim for fair compensation.
Handling the accident insurance claim process without a personal injury lawyer can be extremely difficult and add to your emotional distress.
Speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer is necessary to ensure financial protection and the chance to receive maximum compensation for damages, including medical expenses and emotional damages.
Major collisions can cause injury victims to sustain excessive accident losses, making everyday life extremely difficult.
Auto insurance companies will be looking for a way to deny accident victims the compensation they deserve.
Countless auto accident insurance providers have an easier time doing this when accident victims do not have the help of an experienced car accident attorney.
Accident injury attorneys will also ensure that you are seen by an experienced accident doctor and receive proper treatment for any injuries you sustained.
If you need help filing an auto accident insurance claim against the negligent driver who caused your automobile accident injury, our expert lawyers can help you.
Click below to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident injury attorney today.
