Nathan Park
Are you the victim of a car accident and unsure of what to do next? The first 24 hours after an accident are often the most crucial, so it is important to learn this information now.
Plenty of people unknowingly make mistakes after an accident. Unfortunately, those mistakes often result in lower settlements or compensation in a lawsuit. We want to help you avoid any potential problems with this brief guide.
Make sure that you are taking in as much information as possible after the accident. You and your car accident lawyer will need this information once it is time to proceed.
With the fact that we all have cell phones now, it is easier than ever to take photos all over the scene. Photograph your car, the car of the other driver, the area in which the accident took place, and any other accident-related things like debris.
Immediately after a car accident, make sure that you are out of the way of further danger. If you experienced the car accident somewhere relatively isolated, you should not be . However, if you are on a busy road, safely pull to the side of the road if you can.
Your first priority is safety, and while most people will do whatever they can to avoid hitting your car, not everyone is as careful as they should be.
A police officer will come to the scene to take down your information and any statements about the accident. While you should tell them everything that you know, you need to make sure that you do not say anything that could indicate that you are admitting fault (even if you think you are at-fault).
You want to avoid self-incrimination, but you also want to give a detailed account so the officer can give a detailed report.
This step is going to vary depending on your situation. You want to do it as soon as possible, especially if the accident requires emergency attention.
You should seek medical attention even if you do not feel injured immediately after you accident. Adrenaline may stop you from being able to feel pain from some injuries. Even if you feel fine at first, you might discover later that you have contusions, fractures, or even internal bleeding.
You need a car accident lawyer if you want a successful lawsuit. Even if you know the accident is not your fault, insurance companies are tricky. You may end up losing an open-and-shut case without the proper help.
A good personal injury attorney will help you navigate the complicated legal system. They will help you compile all of the evidence and information to build your case. An attorney will advocate for you in the event that your lawsuit ends up in court.
While you are at the scene, make sure that you exchange information with the other driver. You want contact information and insurance information, and you want to take note of the details of their car.
This is also a great time to collect any contact information from other people who were at the scene, like passengers from nearby cars, from the other person’s car (if applicable), or even witnesses from the street.
