If you’ve just had a car accident, you need to know how to deal with the situation. You can take several steps, including seeking help from car accident attorneys, to safeguard your interests. Here is a checklist to use in case you’re involved in a car accident:
Prioritize Safety
If everyone is safe, stop the car and turn on the hazard lights. You may move the car to the side of the road, especially if it’s drivable. This will prevent your car from blocking traffic or causing further accidents. In severe accidents or injuries, leave the car as it is while you wait for emergency services. If anyone has sustained injuries, call 911 for medical attention.
You don’t want to overlook any injury, even if it seems minor. After a car accident, adrenaline may keep you from feeling some injuries. Symptoms of such injuries may take hours or days to appear. When the emergency services arrive, they will assess everyone injured to determine if they require medical attention.
Gather Evidence
If you’re safe and physically able, document the scene by gathering as much information as possible. This evidence will help your car accident attorneys when building the case. Start with photographs and video recordings. Capture the scene, including injuries, from different angles. These pictures or video recordings should include skid marks, vehicle damage, and traffic signals.
Taking notes about the road or weather conditions may also be helpful. Don’t forget witness information, as it may help build a stronger legal case. You can get contact information from witnesses and ask for their contact information.
Obtain Police Reports
A police report is necessary if the car accident resulted in injuries or property damage. Once the law enforcement authority arrives, they will ask you about the incident. Stick to the facts when telling the police what happened. This information will help the police file a report. If the police have not arrived, you must report the accident within 24 hours. Get a copy of the police report and their name to share with your attorney and insurance company. Having the police at the scene will also help prevent or manage conflicts between the two parties.
Exchange Information
A car accident may involve drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Before leaving the scene, exchange any relevant information with the parties involved. Some of the key pieces of information you should exchange include:
- Full names
- Phone numbers
- Home addresses
- Drivers’ license numbers
- Insurance policy details
If the person driving the car is not the owner, get their contact information. You can also exchange information regarding the cars involved in the accident. This could be the car’s make, model, year, and license plate numbers. Exchanging this information helps for future communications, especially when making insurance claims.
Avoid Admitting Fault
When sharing information with the police or the other driver, understand what not to say. This can be helpful, especially if you’re partially responsible for the accident. Do not admit fault or any information that implies you’re to blame. This information could also include offering apologies when the police are filing a report. Such potentially damaging statements might be used against you during a legal proceeding. Give facts and let the law enforcers and attorneys reveal what happened.
Seek Legal Advice
Before initiating an insurance claim, determine if you’re familiar with the filing process. Filing an insurance claim can be complex and often requires professional assistance. In many cases, insurance companies will push for quick settlements to reduce payouts. If you accept their initial offer, you may end up with a smaller settlement than you deserve.
To receive a just settlement, seek legal help from a car accident attorney. Your attorney will gather more evidence, including medical details, to support the case. They will navigate all complexities of the law and file insurance claims to help you receive fair compensation.
Partner With Experienced Car Accident Attorneys
How you handle the scene of a car accident can make or break a legal case or insurance claim. If you handle it properly, you can recover damages for your car or injuries. That’s why you should follow the appropriate steps, from prioritizing safety to gathering evidence and obtaining a police report. Work with a reliable law office, as a team with a good track record and several years of experience will help you get the deserved compensation. Contact trusted car accident attorneys today to evaluate and build a strong legal case.