Car Accident Lawyer
A car crash does not happen at a convenient time. It is likely on your way to work or when you are running late to pick up a child.
As a car accident lawyer, can explain, that the seriousness of a crash will dictate your actions. Assuming you are not gravely injured in the collision, you should perform a few basic actions. Memorialize these four steps you should take immediately following a crash to improve your chances of coming out of it less stressed.
1. Call the Police
Perform a self-assessment after the crash. Are you in pain? Is anyone else in the car injured? Once you establish that you can move about, you should call the police. Some dispatchers will not send an officer out if you indicate that the damage is not visible or that there are no serious injuries. However, you should request an officer document the incident.
2. Take Photos of the Crash Scene
Depending on where the crash occurred, you may need to move your vehicle before the police show up. This may be necessary to avoid the threat of more accidents. For instance, if your crash happened in a busy intersection or the left lane of a freeway, keeping the cars where they stand is not safe.
Before moving the vehicles, take photos to document where the crash occurred and how the cars came to rest. If you cannot get out of your car safely to do this, snapping a few from inside is better than not doing it at all.
3. Exchange Information
If you can safely get out of your car, you should swap information with the other driver. If the police come, they will ask you both to fill out an information sheet with your driver’s license number, insurance information and vehicle identification number. When the police do not come to the scene, you and the other driver should do this exchange yourselves. Your insurance company will need it to process a claim.
4. Seek Medical Attention
You may not feel a physical impact from the crash, at least not at first. This is why it is always advised that you get checked out by a medical provider after a car accident. You may have underlying injuries that require medical attention. For instance, a headache that worsens may be indicative of brain trauma. Getting a medical checkup, therefore, is crucial to your continued health.
After a crash, you may want to consider phoning a car accident lawyer. Since your accident may result from the other driver’s negligence, you will want to have representation to get the proper financial compensation.