Accidents can happen even if you’ve been driving carefully. If you’ve never been in an accident or never experienced an injury from a collision, you’ll want to know the steps to take to handle the situation appropriately.
Use this guide to ease the stress after the crash and know what to do to ensure you improve your chances of winning an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
First, before doing anything, always remember to stay calm after the situation. You never want to admit guilt or fault, even if you were partially liable. An experienced personal injury attorney will tell you that you never want to accept blame as it could hurt your claims.
An attorney can also help you to understand your rights and receive fair compensation after a collision. A qualified personal injury law firm like Zinda law group specializing in auto collisions helps you fight for the money needed for the damages and injuries caused by accidents.
If it’s not your fault, you may want to pursue action against the other driver’s insurer to receive full compensation for your loss. The compensation may cover damages, including medical expenses and the loss of wages.
Exchange Information
After the accident, you’ll need to provide your name, phone number, and insurance information to the other driver involved. Make sure to get the other party’s information as well. Try to limit your conversation so that you say anything the other party could use against you.
When exchanging information with the other driver, consider recording the conversation. The other driver may admit fault, which is helpful when investigating.
Document the Crash
The more evidence you have, the better your chance of winning your case. Ideally, you’ll want to capture the date and time of the accident, road and driving conditions, damage to both cars, the other driver’s license plate, and any other substantial evidence.
Speak with potential witnesses who can vouch for you in the investigation. They could be standing nearby and seeing or hearing what happened. It’s best to record your conversation to recount what happened.
Report a Claim
There are two claims you’ll need to report following the accident. First, you must file a police report. Call the police immediately after the accident. The officer will ask about the details of the incident so they can file an official police report. Different states have procedures for obtaining an accident report.
After the incident, always report an insurance claim as soon as possible. Car accidents require in-depth investigation; therefore, it’s better to handle them sooner rather than later. If the collision wasn’t your fault, you must file the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Visit Your Doctor
In 2020, over 2.1 million people visited the emergency department due to motor vehicle crashes. Car accidents can result in bodily injuries, even at slow speeds.
Often, the full extent of your injuries might not be apparent at first. You’ll want a complete medical examination to ensure you didn’t suffer any injuries or health problems. Any injuries can help your claim against the other party for compensation.
Final Thoughts
Car collisions can happen to anyone, so it’s vital to prepare by knowing what to do. Follow these steps after an accident for the best odds of winning the claim and getting the compensation you deserve.
