It’s safe to say that no one starts their day hoping to get into a car accident, but each day, millions of Americans are involved in some type of crash. If you were to be one of those unlucky individuals, would you know what to do? Today, the personal injury attorneys at Edenfield, Cox, Bruce, and Edenfield provide a few helpful tips that can help you through the minutes and months following a motor vehicle accident. Read on to learn more and contact our office to schedule a consultation if you have been injured because of another driver’s carelessness.
What to Do After an Accident
Evaluate for Injuries
The safety of you and your passengers should be your primary concern following an accident. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries before get out of your vehicle. Even if you feel okay, it is always a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional to rule out injury. If the damage to your vehicle poses a threat to your safety, move away from the vehicle as quickly and as safely as possible.
Call the Police
Once you have confirmed there are no major injuries to yourself or your passengers, you should call the police. No matter how minor the accident, it is a good idea to get an official record of it so that you can provide it to your insurance company and have documentation of all parties involved in the crash. Unless the vehicles are interfering with traffic, they should remain where they are until the police arrive.
Take Photos
In the moments following an accident, your adrenaline will be running high. Don’t count on your memory to remember important details like how the vehicles were positioned following the crash. If you have your cell phone on you, snap a few pictures of each vehicle, their position in relation to one another, and the damages they sustained. These photos can be powerful pieces of evidence in case damages or liability are disputed down the road.
Exchange Information
As you are waiting for police to arrive, it is a good idea to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. At a minimum, get their first and last name, phone number, and insurance information. If there were any independent witnesses to the accident, get their contact information as well. All of this information should be on the police report, but having it early on can help expedite your insurance process.
Notify Insurance
Many insurance policies require that you report your claim to them as soon as possible. Contacting your insurance agent following the accident can be beneficial for many reasons. First, you can get detailed information about what type of coverage you carry. Second, your insurance company can start investigating the car accident to determine liability as quickly as possible.
Protect Your Rights
As an innocent party in a car accident, you have rights and you deserve to be compensated for your pain, suffering, and inconvenience. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help ensure your rights are protected, and that you don’t miss out on important filing deadlines for personal injury claims. The personal injury attorneys at Edenfield, Cox, Bruce, and Edenfield are here to help you navigate the challenging waters after your crash, and we do everything possible to ensure the best possible outcome on your case. Contact our team now to schedule your consultation.