What Should I Do After A Car Accident?
Car accidents are traumatic both in the immediate sense and over the long-term. For most people, there are a lot of questions associated with events like a car accident. What about my car? Is everyone okay? What should I do after a car accident? It’s the last question that we find is the most important. Why? Because what you do after an accident can impact everything that follows.
These actions will determine how you are compensated and treated, as well as the determination of fault for the accident. So you need to make sure your next steps are taken carefully. With that in mind, here are some tips for what you should do after a car accident to protect yourself and your loved ones.
1. Ensure Your Safety
The first and most important thing you should do after a car accident is to ensure that you are safe. Make sure the scene is safe, that you’re not in the middle of traffic for example, and that people involved in the accident aren’t in any immediate danger. Contact the police and first responders to ensure that the appropriate help is on the way and a collision report is created to document the necessary information.
2. Collect Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other people involved in the accident. Also, get the contact information for each of the witnesses and the badge number of the investigating officer. This information will prove vital to your insurance claim. Remember, the more information you have, the better.
Attorney Answers: senior attorney, Kevin Kornegay says, “You can’t take too many pictures. Take pictures of the vehicles, the license plates, the witnesses, the scene, any skid marks, any injuries, the police officers and their badge numbers, the other driver’s insurance information and driver’s license, and anything else that helps tell the story of the collision.”
3. Stick to the Facts
You’re going to be asked a lot of questions at the scene. It’s important that you stick to the facts, keeping your comments brief, and directed only to the investigating officer. Your comments, taken out of context, can actually form the basis for cases against you, so you need to protect yourself. While you will find that most people have good intentions toward one another, exposing yourself to unnecessary risk after an accident can be incredibly damaging in the long run.
4. Get Representation
The sad truth of an accident is that the system is set up against you and your rights are not protected. The other driver’s insurance company and even your own insurance company are in business to make money, not to protect your rights. They’re in the business of compensating you for damages covered under your plan, but also making money for shareholders. That’s why it’s important for you to find a car accident attorney you can trust to represent you in these matters to protect your rights and get you the justice you deserve.
Remember, the number one thing is to make sure you’re safe. No one can replace you. But after your safety is established, you need to start taking the steps that will help protect you. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know and ask. At Chad Jones Law, you can talk to an attorney right away for free. We can answer all of your questions without any obligation to hire us. At Chad Jones Law, we do not get paid unless you get paid! You pay nothing upfront. Not only do we help our clients recover more money than they would fighting with the insurance company on their own, but we can help to pause their bills and lower medical bills while they recover from the accident.
If you have any questions at all, our team is here to help you and stand up for your rights. Call or text us anytime.
