Car accidents are unexpected events that can rattle even the most composed individuals. Understanding what to do immediately afterward helps ensure personal safety, and it helps protect your legal rights.
Using the correct steps will guide your interactions with emergency responders, other parties involved, and insurance companies. This guide outlines practical steps to follow after an accident, prioritizing safety and clarity in the aftermath of what can be a chaotic experience.
Step 1: Ensure Safety
Safety is your top priority after a car accident. Start by assessing the situation. If it is safe to move the vehicle to a safe location, do so. If you have them, lay down hazard lights to alert other drivers and increase your visibility.
Now, check for any injuries among passengers and yourself. Treat the injuries you can, and immediately call emergency services if necessary.
Step 2: Contact the Authorities
Calling the police ensures an official report gets filed. Police reports serve as key documents for insurance claims and legal proceedings. They provide an unbiased account of the accident and help you determine fault.
Police officers can gather statements from involved parties and witnesses, contributing to a comprehensive overview of the incident. When they arrive, collect their names, badge numbers, and contact information. This information can be helpful if you require further clarification later. Additionally, note the police report number. This number will be necessary to acquire the report and when communicating with insurance companies.
Step 3: Exchange Information
Gather the other driver’s full name, contact number, and address. Acquire their driver’s license number and expiration date. Also, make sure to record their license plate number, make, model, and color.
You also want their insurance company name, policy number, and expiration date. Insurance information proves critical in determining liability, processing claims, and ensuring coverage. Getting a picture of their insurance card will provide this information.
Step 4: Document the Scene
Taking photos of the accident scene is an important part of your record-keeping. Capture images of vehicle positions, damages, license plates, and road conditions. Include traffic signals, weather conditions, and visible injuries. This photographic evidence supports insurance claims and legal processes. If you are too injured to capture this information, ask someone else on scene to do so.
You also want some written information. Note the date, time, and location of the accident, recording specific details, including street names, nearby landmarks, road conditions, lighting conditions and intersections. These details establish a timeline and context for the incident.
Step 5: Gather Witness Information
Witnesses can provide critical perspectives, helping create multiple statements from different vantage points. When identifying potential witnesses, look for people who were present before, during, and immediately after the accident. Approach them calmly and explain the situation briefly to establish why you seek their input. Asking for their observations can yield indispensable information. Often, they shed light on details that may not have been apparent from inside the car. Do not rely solely on the police to interview witnesses as they often only interview the two parties involved in the accident.
Insurance companies and legal entities prioritize unbiased accounts when determining fault and liability. Witness information can enhance official reports, corroborate your account, or challenge inaccuracies.
Step 6: Seek Medical Attention
If you have been injured, you should consider going directly to the hospital. If hospitalization is not required, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you haven’t suffered serious harm. Many injuries, such as whiplash or concussions, do not have immediately recognizable symptoms. Left untreated or undiagnosed, these injuries can have significant consequences. A medical evaluation can uncover underlying injuries and address them promptly.
Moreover, visiting a doctor soon after the incident creates an official medical record. This record becomes vital for insurance and legal purposes. Documented medical evaluations substantiate your injury claims. They provide evidence of the accident's impact on your health, helping you receive appropriate compensation and treatment coverage.
Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company
Finally, notify your insurance company about the accident. Tell them how the accident occurred and the other parties involved. Tell them the time, date, and location of the accident.
Also, make sure to give them the information you’ve collected. Provide copies of police reports, photographs, witness statements and names, notes, medical records, and any other relevant information. This documentation will help support your claim, making it easier to receive the compensation you need.
Step 8: Contact an Attorney
After taking all the immediate, most important steps, it's wise to consult with an attorney. You may need some extra help if the accident involved significant injury, property damage, or contentious circumstances.
An experienced lawyer can help protect your rights and navigate complex insurance and legal claims. They offer professional advice, interpret legal documents, and help you meet all necessary deadlines.
Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf, aiming for a fair settlement that accounts for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Legal guidance can be crucial in achieving a favorable outcome after a car accident.
If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck, Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman L.L.P. is here to help. You can schedule a consultation with our team by contacting us online or calling our office at (775) 227-2280.