The moments following a car accident can be filled with anxiety, fear, and shock. Although you may be feeling a rush of emotions, it’s important to stay calm and in control of the situation. If you have been injured, there are a things you should do after a collision to ensure that you will have the opportunity to recover compensation from the at-fault party. What should you do? Here are the steps to take after a car accident:
Call for help.
Your first priority following an accident should be calling for help. If you and the other people involved in the accident do not need emergency medical treatment, you will just need to call to report the accident and ask for a police officer to come to the scene. It’s imperative that you do this so there is an official police report on file that has documented what happened.
Exchange information.
Of course, you will need to exchange information with people at the scene. But, don’t just stop at the other driver. If there were any witnesses who were not involved in the accident, ask for their contact information, too. Your attorney may want to get in touch with them later on to discuss what they saw leading up to the accident.
Take pictures.
If you can, take pictures at the scene of the accident. What should you photograph? Anything and everything. Make sure you have pictures of property damage, any visible injuries that you have sustained, debris from the collision, and traffic signs or signals that may have played a role in the accident. All of these pictures will help you prove the cause of the accident and what damages and injuries occurred as a result of the accident.
Seek medical treatment.
It’s imperative that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible following the accident—even if you are under the impression that your injuries are minor. Remember, what starts off as a minor injury may develop into something far more serious in the next few hours or days. You will need documentation from a healthcare provider that shows you were experiencing symptoms immediately following the accident. If you don’t have this, you may not be able to prove that the injuries you suffered were sustained in the accident. Hold onto every medical document that shows what injuries you have, how you have been treated, and what you have had to pay for treatment.
Contact an attorney.
The sooner that you contact an attorney after a car accident, the better. An attorney can immediately begin to investigate the cause of the accident, identify the liable parties, and handle the negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s important that you do not speak to an insurance company until you have contacted an attorney. This is recommended so you don’t end up making statements to the insurance adjuster or accepting an unfair settlement.
Have you been injured in a car accident? Don’t delay any longer—contact Reisch Law Firm today. Our experienced attorneys can help you recover the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
