Car Accident Lawyer
Traffic accidents are a common problem that many people experience in their lifetime. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), about 4.57 million individuals were hurt (https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/fatality-estimates) in traffic accidents in 2017. This includes only the accidents serious enough that the injuries incurred required treatment, not every individual involved in an accident over the course of the year. It’s a good idea to understand the steps to be taken after a car accident to help make the path to recovery a smooth one.
- Contact Police
Anyone involved in a car accident involving property damage or personal injuries should reach out to local authorities. Law enforcement can help assess the situation and document their immediate impressions of the scene. Remember to call an ambulance for any injuries!
- Gather Contact Information
In an era where most people have some kind of smartphone in their possession, documenting information can be a fairly simple task. Taking photographs of the other driver’s contact information, I.D., and insurance contact can help save victims headaches later in the process. Don’t try to write everything down – a photo is often more accurate than handwritten notes will be.
- Take Photos of the Scene and the Damage to the Vehicles
Along with photos of the other driver’s personal identification and their contact information, make sure to take photos of the scene of the accident. Victims should make sure to document their vehicles and any damage done as well as more general pictures of the area and the other vehicle involved. This can help when filing a claim/
- Go the Emergency Room
Even if the injuries in question don’t seem dire, it is important that victims seek immediate medical attention regardless. This will help establish a timeline of events and make filing a legal claim for compensation a bit easier. Additionally, not all serious injuries are immediately apparent. It’s quite possible that a visit to the E.R. could reveal more extensive injuries than initial anticipated.
- Contact an Attorney
It’s quite possible that insurance adjusters will reach out to victims of traffic accidents for a statement, especially if the accident is a serious one. Don’t give a statement without speaking to an attorney first! This is true regardless of how nice the individual on the other end of the phone seems. Their main goal, particularly if they are representing the at-fault party, is to minimize the amount of compensation they issue. Anything you say to them can be used to discredit the victim’s experience and put their injuries and medical expenses in question.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help make filing and pursuing a legal claim as easy as possible. They understand how to handle insurance company representatives and can help victims get started on the path to recovery.