No matter how careful you are, many of us have or will be in a car accident despite best efforts to avoid the negligent actions of others. Knowing how to react may make a huge difference in reducing your stress and having a successful resolution of your car insurance claim or lawsuit case.
What To Do After a Car Accident
- Call 9-1-1 for the police and emergency personnel to come to the scene of the accident without delay. It is important to assist anyone who is injured and to make certain that a police report is prepared. Even if it initially appears that the car crash isn’t serious, it’s a good idea to have the police prepare a report if someone else has hit you because later your injuries may be far worse than what you initially believe to be the case and the police report may be very useful in supporting your claim.
- Never admit fault. Accidents are often very frightening and disorienting. You have no obligation to speak with the other driver or to discuss the accident. It’s important to carefully consider what is being said during any post-accident conversation and never admit fault. If you believe the other driver was at fault, be certain to tell the police.
- Ask questions. Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of persons involved in the accident. Be sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver and record the license plate numbers as well as make, model and color of any vehicles involved in the accident. You should also be sure to get the names of the police officers in the event your attorney or insurance later needs to contact them.
- Take pictures of vehicles and the scene of the accident. It is important that pictures of the accident site, the vehicles, and people be taken as soon as possible after the accident. This will help prevent the other parties from falsifying or misrepresenting how the accident occurred and the severity of the trauma you experienced. In addition, take down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident because this may be very helpful in developing a strong insurance claim or lawsuit case.
- Call your insurance company. It’s important for you to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident so they can open your claim and gather whatever information they deem necessary.
- Get medical help. Often a person’s first reaction is to deny injury and want to get away from the stress of the accident. It’s very important to go directly to a hospital emergency room even if you do not believe you are seriously injured. Many times, the effects of the accident do not become apparent until a few hours or even days after the accident. It’s a good idea to contact your health professional as soon as possible after an accident to get examined.
- Contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Charles Bean & Associates, PLLC. Call us for a consultation as soon as possible following an accident. We can greatly improve your case by properly preserving the evidence and getting witness statements. It is critical that you talk to an personal injury attorney before speaking with the adjuster for the at-fault insurance.
- Never speak with the at-fault insurance adjuster or sign any papers for them without first calling Charles Bean & Associates, PLLC, for a free consultation.