5 Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Accident

Getting into a car accident is a stressful experience. Amidst our busy lives, it is easy to feel shaken up when this occurs, making it a challenge to act rationally and think about legal implications. However, understanding what to do (and what not to do) is crucial for navigating the situation effectively and ensuring that your experience is resolved as swiftly as possible. Our experienced car accident attorneys can help you in the immediate aftermath of a crash.

Take These 5 Steps to Navigate the Aftermath of a Car Accident

In the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, the situation may feel overwhelming and you might not know what you should focus on first. We are here to explain your priorities. If you are physically able to, taking the right steps at the scene is crucial to protecting your health and legal rights. Here are the first things you should do to ensure your safety and preserve important evidence for a potential civil claim for damages: if you are physically able. 

Call 911

Even if no one appears to need medical attention, you should still report the accident to the police. They will create an official record of the incident, which is essential for any future claims. A police report can serve as neutral documentation that helps establish what happened in a car crash, the injuries, and any other information that might shed light on liability.

Speak Only to the Officers

Avoid engaging with the other driver. Discussions that seem innocent – like an apology – could be interpreted as admitting fault, which can complicate matters later. Stick to providing details to the police when they arrive. Let law enforcement gather statements and determine the facts. Officers are trained to assess accident scenes, which helps avoid misunderstanding or misstatements that could negatively impact your claim.

Record Everything

Use your cellphone to capture photos or videos of the incident. Document the vehicles involved, the roadway, any traffic signs, and visible injuries. This evidence will be invaluable when dealing with insurance claims or potential legal actions. Visual proof of the accident scene or relevant conditions helps establish the circumstances of the crash and may support your version of events. The more detailed your records are, the harder it is for an insurance company to dispute your claim later. This can include capturing a specific weather event, obstacles or other vehicles on the road, or something the other driver may have been doing that was negligent.

Get a Medical Evaluation

Even if you feel it’s unnecessary to see a doctor, you and your passengers should be examined for possible injuries. Injuries like whiplash or concussion, might not be immediately apparent. Early documentation of any medical concerns can be significant in personal injury claims. Delaying care may not only jeopardize your health but also give insurance companies a reason to question the severity or cause of your injuries. They might suggest that a concussion that did not produce symptoms until three days afterward could have been from something that occurred well after the car accident.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney

Navigating the aftermath of an accident can be daunting, especially when dealing with insurance companies, so call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney from Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law can help protect your rights, advise you on your next steps, and help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to. No matter how clear-cut an accident might be, you need a legal professional to be your representative at every stage.

Why Personal Injury Law Matters

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to understand your rights. Personal injury law is designed to protect victims and help them seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate these complexities, ensuring you do not get taken advantage of by insurance companies.

Follow These 5 Steps and Call a Lawyer After a Car Crash

Do not battle the insurance companies alone. At Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, our experienced team is eager to assist you. We understand the complexities of personal injury claims and know how you can improve your odds of success by doing five simple things immediately after a car crash. Call us today or fill out a contact form for a free consultation.