Being involved in an accident is a traumatic experience and it is important that you remain calm.
The following is a list of important steps you should take after an automobile accident:
CHECK FOR INJURIES
Immediately after an auto accident, and if you are able to do so, you should check to see if anyone is hurt. If you suspect there are injuries, you should call 911 for medical assistance.
If you believe you have significant injuries, and the environment is safe, you should remain as immobile as possible and wait for help.
ENSURE THE ROADWAY IS CLEAR
If your vehicle does not interfere with traffic, you should preserve the accident scene and not move it.
If your vehicle is interfering with traffic and is drivable, move it to a safe nearby location, but do not leave the scene of the accident.
CALL THE POLICE
If you have not already called 911 for medical attention, you should contact the police. They will help control the situation and will also provide a police report.
This report will contain information about the parties involved: driver’s name, address, type of vehicle, auto insurance, etc. These details are helpful when filing a claim with the insurance company.
OBTAIN CONTACT INFORMATION
Even if the police respond, it is important for you to collect information about all parties involved in the accident. This should include the other driver’s name, phone number, and driver’s license number. You should also get the name and number of all witnesses.
Although this data is usually on the police report, you should not rely on the police to collect this information. Your lawyer may need to get in touch with witnesses in order to gather valuable evidence and establish liability.
OBTAIN VEHICLE-RELATED INFORMATION
Obtain the information from all vehicles that were involved in the accident. These details should include the license plate and vehicle identification numbers.
Collecting this data is even more important if there is no police report available.
OBTAIN INSURANCE INFORMATION
Make sure you get insurance information from all of the parties that were involved in the accident.
This should include the insurance company’s name, phone number, and policy number. You will need this information in order to file a claim.
TAKE PICTURES
Photos of your vehicle and the accident scene can be helpful to your claim because they provide valuable evidence regarding what happened.
Most cellphones have cameras and this is a great way to start documenting your personal injury case.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
If you have been involved in a collision, it is important that you seek medical attention.
Often, injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents are not immediately apparent. Many accident victims don’t feel pain until a day or two after the accident.
Unless you are certain that you weren’t injured, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even a minor impact can result in a serious injury and you should be evaluated by a physician.
CALL A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Whitener Law Firm to find out what we can do to get you the money you deserve. For a free consultation regarding a personal injury claim, contact us at 505-883-7877.
There is NO FEE until your case settles.