Nobody wants to find themselves on the wrong side of a car accident, but there are certain situations where things are inevitable. A car might be barreling towards you or you might make a mistake that leads to an unavoidable collision. Regardless of fault, there are a number of steps you need to follow during the initial aftermath in order to protect your rights and clarify the role of liability in a car accident on the road. Use the below as a guide to navigate the aftermath of a crash:
1. Prioritize Safety First
Above all else, you need to ensure that you and others are safe. Injuries may be pressing so it’s best to get emergency services there as soon as possible if they are needed. To begin, try to move your vehicle to a safe location if possible so that oncoming traffic doesn’t collide with your vehicle.
Pause and check yourself for injuries before checking others, if safe to do so. Be sure to run a complete inspection on yourself, as some injuries may not be readily apparent. Once you have finished examining yourself, check the others involved. If there are any serious injuries, it’ll be important to call 911 as soon as possible.
2. Call the Police and File a Report
If there weren’t serious injuries due to the crash or major property damage, it might not be required to contact the police after the accident depending on the state you live in. However, it’s recommended to still contact them so that you can get a police report generated after the accident. This will serve as an unbiased and authoritative document outlining your side of the story, what the police witnessed, and perhaps the statements if any witnesses the police speak to.
One important sub-step to remember is to request a copy of the police report as soon as it’s available. You can use this report in conjunction with other evidence to argue your case if the situation devolves into a lawsuit.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Another crucial step to take care of after a car accident is to gather as much evidence as possible while you can. Take as many photos and videos as possible to document what occurred. Specifically, try to focus on the damage to the vehicles, the road conditions, the weather conditions, and the surrounding areas.
You should also try to document photos of injuries, too to prevent false injury reports after the fact. On top of all this documentation, you need to make an effort to collect the contact and insurance information from the other drivers. Also, try to gather witness statements if anyone saw the accident and grab their contact details too.
4. Avoid Admitting Fault or Speculating on the Cause
While it’s easy to feel bad after an accident, and a natural reaction might be to apologize for nothing more than a general feeling of guilt, it’s important not to do this. You don’t want to accidentally admit fault, especially if it wasn’t your fault, before the official investigation determines liability. By doing this, you allow it to be used against you. It’s best to just stick to the facts when you are speaking with police and others who are at the scene. Don’t speculate about what happened or make theories, rather, inform them of everything that occurred from your perspective, exactly as you experienced it. You will be able to work with an insurance adjuster at a later time who may ask more in-depth questions.
5. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even though you already inspected yourself for injury, there may be hidden internal injuries that can lead to major problems down the road. You need to go visit a doctor as soon as possible after a crash, even if you feel completely fine. Whiplash, concussions, herniated discs, and other similar types of injuries are all examples of things that can form after the fact. Beyond ensuring that your body is completely alright, going to see a doctor after a crash also helps ensure any injuries are documented for insurance and legal claims. This will help you make a case and quantify any expenses associated with the injuries you received as a result of the crash.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Be aware of the fact that you only have a certain amount of time to notify your insurance company that a car accident happened. The majority of states require reporting within 10 days, but certain jurisdictions mandate 24 hours, which is why it’s so important to check. Not informing your insurance of the crash in the proper time frame can be grounds for an invalid claim. When you do notify your insurance company, as with the police, simply inform them that a crash happened and that you need to start the claims process. Don’t provide them with more information than they need. An adjuster will contact you at a later time to gather pertinent details.
Contact a personal injury attorney after your crash
As mentioned, nobody wants to be involved in a car accident. This is a jarring experience that can leave even the most seasoned driver scared to get back behind the wheel. Regardless of fault, the above steps can help ensure that you navigate the aftermath properly and with respect for all parties involved. It’s important to do this in order to protect your rights and maximize your chance of financial recovery. Stay informed and prepare for unexpected accidents by integrating all of the above steps into your memory so that it’s second nature if you are involved in a crash.
Above all else, though, reach out to an accredited personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. This professional can help you gather evidence while also negotiating on your behalf so that you increase your chances of having a successful verdict or settlement from insurance. You should also reach out to a lawyer if there are disputes over liability in a crash or major injuries, as both these instances can result in serious lawsuits.
