In the minutes, hours, and days after a car accident, your mind may be crammed with memories of what happened and the endless list of things you need to attend to, including financial considerations, medical bills, and whether to pursue a legal claim or not. So, what should you do if you get into a car accident?
While checking your car for any damage, calling 911, and reporting the accident to the police might come to mind pretty easily, the other things you need to do right after an accident may not be straightforward.
This blog post outlines the critical steps you need to take at the crash scene and in the days after to ensure you are fully compensated for any damages suffered.
You may even want to bookmark this list or print it out and keep it somewhere safe in your car just in case the unexpected happens.
1. Remain At the Accident Scene
If someone was injured or killed as a result of the accident, it is critical to remain at the scene until the police arrive and assess the situation. You should only leave the accident scene before the police arrive when you need urgent medical assistance.
Leaving the accident scene involving property damage or injury could get you charged with a hit-and-run offense. The penalties for this offense are hefty, and you could face up to one year in jail.
However, if the accident is a minor fender bender, you may legally leave the scene after identifying yourself to the party involved. Failure to identify yourself constitutes a hit-and-run or misdemeanor.
If the other party involved in the accident fled the scene, be sure to contact the police and provide them with any useful information such as the car registration number that can help them track down the culprit. From there, file a claim against their insurance company.
If the at-fault driver is not found, you may still be eligible to recover maximum damages from your own insurance company if you have the uninsured/underinsured coverage policy or comprehensive policy.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort after an accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Some injuries may not manifest until days or weeks after the accident.
Call 911 yourself or ask someone else to do it on your behalf. If someone else is taking you to the emergency, be sure to leave your contact information with the other party involved in the accident if you can.
Keep all your medical bills and records as these will be vital evidence to support your car accident claim.
3. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Ask to see the other driver’s license, car registration details, and insurance information. Take clear pictures of the documents or note down all the crucial details if you can.
You should also try to get the contact information of everyone else who was involved or witnessed the car crash.
If the other driver refuses to cooperate, note down as much information as you can see, such as the make and model of their car and its registration number.
If a law enforcement officer comes to the accident scene, get the police officer’s name and note it down as well. You should also be kind enough and provide your information to the other drive.
4. Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
If possible, take pictures of the accident scene from different angles. This will help when it comes to filing your insurance claim.
Ensure the pictures capture the damage to both cars, the surrounding area, and any injuries suffered by either party involved in the accident.
If there are any witnesses at the scene, get their contact information as they may be able to provide valuable information to support your case.
5. Wait for the Police Report
It is important to wait for the police report before taking legal action. This report will serve as evidence in your car accident case.
The police report usually takes a few weeks to be finalized. If you need a copy of the report, you can contact the police department where the accident took place.
6. Do Not Admit Fault
It is imperative not to admit fault, even if you think you are the one at fault. This could weaken your case, and you may have to pay damages to the other party.
You may be wrong, but the other party may have also contributed to the accident. Under the shared fault or comparative negligence law, the at-fault party will not be entitled to full compensation if they were partially to blame for the accident.
Don’t even apologize to the other party because it can easily be misconstrued and bar you from getting the full compensation you deserve. The only thing you need to do is ask the other driver if they are injured or require urgent medical attention.
If the other motorist pressures you into accepting liability, ask them to call your insurance company.
7. Contact Your Insurance Company
The sooner you contact your insurance company, the better because they can start investigating the accident and cover any damages as soon as possible.
Be sure to have your policy number handy when you call. Your insurance company may ask you a few questions about what happened during the accident.
They will also likely want to see the police report, pictures of the accident scene, damage to your car, and medical records.
You may be required to take your car for an inspection by an insurance adjuster. Cooperate with all their requests, and don’t sign any settlement offers until you have talked to an attorney.
8. Don’t Say You Are Not Hurt
Even if you think you have not been hurt, don’t reveal this information to the other driver or your insurance company. You may feel fine after a few hours or days, but some injuries, like whiplash, can take weeks or even months to surface.
Mentioning that you are not injured can severely compromise your case, and the insurance company may not cover all your damages.
But that doesn’t mean you should lie because it can come back to undermine your credibility. If you must say something regarding your injuries, simply say you don’t know if you have been injured, but you will be seeking medical attention later.
9. File a Car Accident Claim
If you decide to pursue a legal claim against the at-fault driver, it is essential to file the claim as soon as possible. There is a statute of limitations on personal injury claims in most states, which means you have a certain amount of time to file your claim after the accident occurs.
The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can start the process of recovering damages for your injuries and property damage.
10. Consider Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident, you will have a limited amount of time to file a claim.
It is in your best interest to hire an experienced car accident attorney who can help you get the full compensation you deserve.
Your lawyer will handle all the legal proceedings, from filing the claim to negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
They will also advise you on whether or not you should take legal action against the other driver.
Injured In a Car Accident? Contact Us for Help!
Have you or your loved one been involved in a car accident? If so, you need to seek the help of an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.
An attorney will investigate the circumstance surrounding your car crash and advise you of your legal rights and options.
Get in touch with Legal Giant today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We have helped many clients obtain the compensation they deserve after being injured in a car accident.
Remember, there is no obligation, and you won’t be charged any fees unless we recover damages on your behalf.
