A car accident is an event that can happen out of nowhere. It can be a life-altering event that will have you scrambling on what to do next.
The important thing to remember is to stay calm and take the necessary actions outlined in this guide. We’ll discuss the steps that you need to do safely after a car accident while considering potential legal avenues.
With over 6 million car accidents reported every year, it’s important to make sure you take action as soon as one happens to you.
Let’s take a look now at what you need to do.
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1. Stay Calm and Assess What’s Going On
As mentioned earlier, staying calm should be your best option. It can be an emotionally jarring experience to the point where your emotions might get the best of you. Take control of them and assess the situation so you have a clear view of what is going on at the moment. Check yourself and others traveling with you.
Finally, move to a location that is away from traffic (assuming that it’s safe to do so). After this, you’ll need to move on to the next step.
2. Call Emergency Services As Soon As Possible
Next, call emergency services including law enforcement. Dial 911 and report the accident regardless of the severity.
The police will document the situation accordingly – which will be helpful in filing insurance claims as well as consulting with an experienced car accident attorney who serves the Kansas City area. If there are immediate injuries, please request emergency medical services.
3. Seek Medical Attention
Even if there are no immediate injuries, it is highly recommended that you get examined by a medical professional. Some injuries may not manifest until much later such as whiplash or internal trauma. Having a medical examination done will also provide you with the appropriate documentation that is needed for insurance claims or if there is a need for legal services after the accident.
Personal injury attorneys will use medical documentation to determine if legal action can be taken. Especially if you have missed time from work and need to recoup any loss of income. The damages you may collect is possible with the right car accident attorney that will represent and fight for you on your behalf.
4. Gather As Much Evidence As Possible
As such, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible if you are in a safe place. This includes taking photos of the vehicles involved, license plates, damages, and the area where the accident took place.
Be sure to record any details regarding the road conditions, time of the accident, and the weather. You should also get contact and insurance information from other drivers and witnesses that may have been in the area during the accident.
5. Do Not Admit Fault or Speculate
If you are speaking to law enforcement or the other parties, you want to be careful with what you say. Only stick to the facts and refrain from making statements that may be held against you as it could determine that you might be at fault.
For example, don’t say things like “I didn’t see you” or “I’m sorry”. This might be detrimental to your case in the event you do seek legal action or an insurance claim.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company will need to be notified as soon as possible. Report the accident honestly and provide them with factual information. It should be noted that you may want to contact a car accident lawyer before contacting the insurance company as you may be in a situation where the insurance company may request you to sign documents or give recorded statements.
Final Thoughts
These six essential steps will be useful if you ever find yourself in a car accident. You have the roadmap that will allow you to perform the necessary tasks shortly after the incident.
Be sure to report the accident safely and give factual details while avoiding making admissions of fault. Remember, the option of legal consultation will also be on the table in the event of any thing that may have happened in the aftermath such as injuries or insurance companies lowballing your claim.
