Knowing exactly what you should do in the event of a car accident can help to make sure that you will not be held liable or at fault for an accident in the event that you did not cause it. During the time of a car crash, it can be difficult to think clearly but by doing the research ahead of time, you can know the right steps to take after a car accident.
Here are some of the most important steps that you should be taking after a crash in an accident:
Call for Help Immediately
Even if an accident seems quite minor, you need to be able to offer a reasonable amount of assistance to anyone that’s involved. Call for help as soon as you’re involved in an accident. There is a chance that another driver could be hurt or that they may want to get checked out. Dialing 911 is a great starting position when you have been involved in a crash and it could help to save someone’s life if there are serious injuries.
Get A Police Report
Asking to obtain a police report does not mean that there is an admission of guilt on your side or on the part of the other people in the accident. Having a police report can help to protect you all as well as ensure that you can claim the accident through your insurance company. Make sure that you get the badge number and name of the officer who files a report so that you can easily come back to the report that they filed.
Never Admit Fault or Guilt
It can be very tempting for you to admit fault or guilt at the scene of an accident. Do not admit to causing a crash and make sure that you tell the police exactly what happened at the time of the accident. Don’t discuss the accident extensively with the other people that were involved or at the scene.
Gather The Evidence You Need
Make sure that you have enough evidence so that you can properly file your accident claim. Take a picture of the accident scene and make sure that you catalog all of the damage to your car as well as the other driver’s cars. Talk to some of the witnesses that were not involved during the accident and make sure that you can get their phone numbers and names so that they could get back to you with their statement as required. Make a full diagram of the accident as you remember it so that you can come back to it when you need it.
Collect All Applicable Information
Make sure that you are collecting all of the applicable information from the drivers that were involved in the accident. Get their names, ask for their insurance information as well as who owns their vehicles. Make sure that you have all of the details that could possibly be needed during the course of your insurance claim.
Speak To An Attorney
If you experienced any type of severe injuries or if one of your passengers was severely injured, it’s very important that you contact a personal injury attorney near you as soon as possible. Speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer can be an excellent way that you can get advice before you contact your insurance company and move your claim forward. A personal injury attorney can also help you get the correct amount of compensation that you deserve in the case where you have sustained physical injury or financial loss. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation with regard to your accident!