When you are in a car accident, it’s easy to become confused, upset, and unsure of what to do next. Here are five things you need to think about before you leave the scene of a crash. Making sure you do these five things can work in your favor later on if you bring a car accident claim forward.
1. Seek Medical Assistance Immediately
Whether you need to call 911 or go to the hospital on your own, it’s important that everyone involved receives a medical evaluation as soon as possible. If you wait a few days or weeks before going to the doctor, your car accident claim may suffer because it can be argued that your injuries were not serious enough for you to seek medical treatment.
2. Contact the Police
If it was just a simple fender bender and no one was gravely injured, you still need to contact the police and have a formal accident report written up. If the other driver asks you to simply exchange phone numbers and take care of matters outside of authorities, do not agree to this.
3. Look for Witnesses
If you are able, look for witnesses who may have seen what happened during the accident. If they can’t stay to talk to the police, get their name and number and provide it to the officers who respond to the scene. They will follow up with the witnesses and obtain formal statements.
4. Take Photographs
If you or someone in your vehicle can take photographs of the accident, it’s important that you do so. Take photos of your car, the other driver’s car, your injuries, and anything else that may illustrate what happened and the severity of the damage.
5. Contact an Attorney
If you are able, reach out to an attorney at the scene of the accident. Many times, an attorney is able to meet you at the scene and conduct an independent investigation, which can have a lot of value later on if you decide to bring a claim forward for compensation.
At the Idiart Law Group, we have significant experience working with car accident victims and their families, and can provide you with comprehensive representation after a crash. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your needs in detail at (855) 772-6969.