6 Steps You Should Take Immediately After an Accident

Accidents happen.

The average American driver can expect to get involved in some form of car accident one time every six years. Although many car accidents turn out to be minor fender benders, some vehicle collisions result in substantial property damage and significant injuries to one or more drivers and passengers. The best mindset for how to react after a car accident is to already know what to do. For a serious auto crash, leaning on the legal expertise of a car accident attorney makes the difference between receiving just compensation and walking away empty-handed.

Here are the six steps you should take immediately after a car accident.

Think Safety

You can expect a flurry of thoughts to rush through your brain right after a motor vehicle collision. Slow the thoughts down by thinking about safety first. You should find a safe place to move your car if it is capable of moving to another location nearby. Pulling over on a shoulder is a good choice, but if you can find a parking spot on a lot nearby, you enhance your safety by staying away from traffic. Once you get to a safe place, check on all the other drivers and passengers.

Call 911

Calling 911 immediately after a vehicle collision accomplishes two important things. First, a 911 call activates the emergency response system, which includes medical personnel that can treat victims who sustained serious injuries such as fractures and lacerations. Second, the responding law enforcement agency clears the scene of vehicles to prevent another accident from occurring. Law enforcement personnel also conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene.

Receive Medical Care

Receiving a diagnosis and getting treated for any injuries is critical for you to file a successful insurance claim, as well as a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages if you have a strong enough case. If you wait too long to receive medical care, the insurance adjuster reviewing your claim might deny it on the grounds that you did not sustain serious enough injuries to warrant receiving compensation. You might be able to receive initial treatment at the scene of the car accident.

Gather Evidence

Although the law enforcement agency responding to the vehicle collision collects evidence, you also should collect evidence to give your car accident attorney a head start on conducting a separate investigation. Simply taking photographs of the accident scene by using a Smartphone can help your car accident attorney put the pieces of the investigative puzzle together. Obtain the names and contact information of every witness for your car accident attorney to interview as soon as possible.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney

If you have a car accident attorney on retainer or know of a lawyer who specializes in handling personal injury cases, the first call you make should be to your legal counsel. Schedule a free case evaluation to determine the best course of action. Your car accident attorney reviews the official police report and all the physical evidence, as well as interviews witnesses. If you do not have access to a car accident attorney, conduct a little online research to find one practicing in your area and then schedule a free case evaluation.

Work on Receiving Just Compensation

Meeting with a lawyer is the key to starting the process of receiving just compensation for your financial losses. Do not contact your insurance company until after you meet with a car accident attorney. Your lawyer helps you submit the proper documents, as well as helps you develop a persuasive claim. If the other party committed one or more acts of negligence that caused the auto crash, you might have a strong enough case to file a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages.