You may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your damages and injuries if you are involved in a car accident that was caused by another person’s negligence. Get the help that you need with an experienced attorney if you are injured in a car accident. Experience a sense of relief that you have someone fighting for you to receive the compensation that you may be entitled to when you know what to do after a car accident.
You are Not Alone if You are Involved in a Car Accident
The statistics related to motor vehicle crashes are likely to surprise some people. The National Safety Council reports that there were nearly five million people seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2020, and a significant increase in the number of people who were killed in vehicle accidents.
The Insurance Information Institute reveals statistics related to drivers who were involved in fatal accidents in 2019. Speeding, being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and committing violations of other traffic laws were among the top contributing factors to the crashes that occurred throughout the year.
Know the Steps to Take in the Aftermath of a Car Accident
If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident, it is important to know the steps to take in the aftermath of that accident. Protect yourself and your likelihood of a successful claim for damages by following these steps. Some steps are imperative to follow at the scene, while other steps are important to follow in the days after an automobile accident. The steps that you should take include:
- Call 911 to report the accident
- Exchange driver’s license and insurance information with the other driver
- Get names and contact information for any witnesses
- Document the scene with photos of your car and the road
- Avoid discussions or explanations with the other driver or bystanders at the scene
- Go to the hospital or other medical facility even if you think that you are not hurt
There are other important steps to take after you are involved in a car accident. Promptly contact your insurance company and contact an experienced car accident attorney.
Calling 911 to report the accident is a critical step in the immediate aftermath of any car accident. The police do not always respond in some jurisdictions when there is a minor collision.
It’s essential to exchange information with the other driver despite the police making a report. The officer on site doesn’t always give you a copy, and it may be several days before it becomes available. If the incident happens in NJ, you can easily access the New Jersey crash report online after it has been filed. Ensure the responding officers provide you with their badge number and a Case ID. You want to have as much information as possible available when you report the car accident to your insurance company.
Getting the names and contact information of any witnesses is important so that your insurance company may contact them. There is also the possibility that they may be called as witnesses to support your financial compensation claim. If you are not able to get the information from them yourself, point them out to the police officers that arrive on the scene. The police officers will get their information and take their statements.
Take pictures of your entire vehicle, and pictures of the damage to your car at the scene. Make sure that you document any skid marks, damaged car parts in the road, debris or obstructions in the road. Take photos of the other vehicle in relation to your car and to the street. Document the street names.
Do not talk to the other driver other than to exchange the driver’s license and insurance information, even if that driver seems calm or initially admits fault to you. The driver may change their story and may try to use any comments that you make against you later during the settlement process or if your case goes to court.
Make sure that you let your insurance company, the police officer, and your car accident attorney know about any comments made by the other driver or statements made by occupants of the other car after the motor vehicle accident. Their statements may be important when you seek compensation for your injuries and other damages. This is true whether you receive a settlement or if you have a case that goes to court.
Go to the hospital from the scene of the car crash or go to another medical facility immediately, even if you think that you were not hurt at the time of the accident. Injuries do not always cause pain right away. Some people may assume that if they do not see severe physical injuries, that they do not have serious injuries. Consider the fact that internal bleeding or other internal injuries are not visible to a person. Let a doctor examine you to determine whether you have injuries and the extent of the injuries.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Explain what happened and give them any information that they ask for when you talk to them.
Why Do You Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer?
Contacting a car accident attorney as soon as possible is important when you are injured because of another driver’s negligence. You need a skilled negotiator who knows how to get the best possible settlement and who knows how to get the best possible outcome for you if your case goes to court.
Contact the attorneys that work hard to help clients get their lives back on track after they or a loved one experiences a car accident that is caused by another driver.
