Crucial Steps to Take after a Car Accident

Anyone who’s been in a car accident knows that it comes with a massive rush of emotions. You might feel confused, lost, or even scared at that moment. But you must understand that the actions you take at the scene and soon after the accident can affect you significantly. This article will show you important steps to take after a car crash to help your injury and insurance claims.

Seek Legal Advice

Before accepting a settlement offer or providing a statement to an insurer, it’s essential to seek legal counsel. Car accidents can cause visible injury and brain injuries that might not be obvious to bystanders after the crash. The impact of such collisions can be mild, such as a minor concussion, or as serious as brain damage, which can be financially draining to treat. If you suffered injuries during a car crash, a personal injury lawyer can help you stand up for your rights and get the compensation you deserve.

According to Coffey McPharlin, a Fort Lauderdale brain injury lawyer, ‘’Your legal representative may prepare your case using various strategies to ensure the best possible outcome. Those strategies may include obtaining testimony from teachers, coaches, co-workers, family members, friends, and clergy that speaks to your reduced abilities. It could also involve interviewing your treating doctor to determine how the injury affects your life now and how it will affect you in the future and your long-term ability to work.’’

Call the Police

Check to ensure that everyone involved in the accident is alright. If someone is trapped in a vehicle or suffering from serious injuries, call for an ambulance. Some people don’t think it’s important to call the police after minor crashes, but it is better to do so.

Getting the police involved protects you and other people involved and allows you to have a police report that can be your official record of the incident. Even if the accident is minor, the officer will file an incident report that can function as an information exchange for future reference. For more severe crashes, an officer may create an accident report to help establish legal liabilities and aid the insurance process.

Get the Other Driver’s Information and Take Photos

After checking that everyone is Ok and contacting the proper authorities, it’s time to record details about the accident. Take photos of the scene and collect the other driver’s information. Having video recordings or pictures of damages or injuries helps with your case since it would be an accurate record of what occurred at the scene.

Obtain phone numbers, names, license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, basic car insurance information, and addresses of the other drivers involved in the crash. You can also obtain the contact information of passengers if anything is involved. While talking to other motorists, avoid apologizing for anything so you don’t admit legal liability. Try to be cooperative and cordial without admitting guilt unintentionally. Another thing to do is speak to witnesses. Ask them what they saw and obtain their names and phone numbers if possible. Witness reports can help you corroborate your account of the incident to verify what happened.

Inform Your Insurance Company

Report the car accident to your car insurance company as soon as possible, even if you are not at fault. Taking this step early on will enable you to provide as much information as possible since you’ll remember more details. Let your insurance company handle discussions with the other parties involved in the crash. If another driver’s insurance company tries to contact you, refer them to your insurer.

It is especially crucial to inform your insurance company when someone is injured since you can’t predict how high the medical expenses can go. Your insurer should also know if there is significant damage or if you are deemed at fault for the crash. Remember that you can’t change your insurance coverage when an accident occurs to claim for damage that your existing plan wouldn’t otherwise cover. This could be considered insurance fraud and can get you in trouble.

Keep Track of Expenses

When your car is involved in an accident, try to stay involved with the repair process. Even if you don’t have many options regarding which mechanic repairs your car and how the damages are fixed, you want to ensure the work is high quality. For instance, if your car needs part replacement, ensure your mechanic uses original manufacturer parts.

Keep the receipts of all your expenses, including vehicle repair and medical bills. Having such proof may help ensure you’re repaid fully for eligible expenses. It can also be helpful if an issue arises with the repair work in the future.