Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening experience that leaves you feeling vulnerable, disoriented, and confused. It’s important to remain calm and take the right steps to ensure that your rights are protected.
Taking essential steps such as collecting evidence and hiring a lawyer can help you make sure that you’re protected after an accident. Read on to discover more about these essential steps so that you know exactly what to do after an accident.
Check for Injuries
The first step you need to take in the event of a car accident is check yourself and any other people involved for any possible injuries. If someone is injured or unconscious, call 911 immediately. Do not move the injured person unless it is necessary to prevent further injury or danger.
Even if no one appears to be injured at first, it’s still important to see a doctor as some injuries may not manifest until days after an accident has occurred.
Call the Police
If anyone involved in the accident appears to be injured or if there is property damage of over $500 then it’s essential that you call the police straight away.
The police will investigate the scene of the accident and document who was involved and their contact details as well as any evidence relevant to who was at fault in causing the crash.
They will also draft up a police report which will be used in insurance claims procedures. So it’s important that they are called even if there don’t appear to have been any serious injuries at first glance along with a car accident lawyer.
Document Everything
In order to ensure all your rights are protected after an accident it’s important that you document everything before leaving the scene of the incident. Take photos of any evidence such as skid marks or broken glass that could indicate how an accident occurred.
Exchange contact information with any other drivers involved including their insurance details and license plate numbers just in case they try and leave without you having their details. Photos should also be taken of any damage done so there is proof later on when dealing with insurers.
Seek Medical Attention
The health and wellbeing of those involved should always come first after an incident has occurred. So even if no one appears seriously hurt at first, medical attention should still be sought out just in case some issues have gone unnoticed initially.
This means visiting an emergency room for more serious cases but even for minor injuries such as bumps and bruises. Seeing a doctor will ensure all potential problems are addressed quickly before they become more serious.
Collect Evidence
It’s important to collect evidence related to your injury such as copies of medical records or witness statements from anyone who may have seen what happened during or leading up to an accident occurring .
You can also obtain proof from other sources such as obtaining a copy of a police report which can help strengthen your claim when dealing with insurers or lawyers depending on which route you decide to take.
Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer
If your loved one has been tragically killed in a car crash then hiring a wrongful death lawyer is key when looking into seeking justice for them.
A wrongful death lawyer will have experience specifically related to this type of case so they can provide valuable advice on how best to proceed with ensuring justice has while making sure everyone’s rights remain intact.