Been In a Car Accident? Know the Essential Next Steps

August 04, 2012

A car accident can be a traumatic event. Many motorists are unsure about what they need to do after being involved in a crash. However, a clear understanding of the right moves in the wake of an accident can save you a lot of trouble and protect your ability to recover compensation from an at-fault party.

Call the Police, Gather Information, Watch What You Say

At the most basic level, immediate medical emergencies need to be addressed first when there's an accident. If someone is seriously hurt, call an ambulance.

Even if there are no apparent life threatening injuries, you should call the police. A police accident report may be instrumental in any future legal claim. You should not leave the scene until you have assurances from the police that a full, complete accident report will be filed.

You may also wish to do some fact gathering of your own at the scene. Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident, as well as the other driver's insurance information and vehicle identification number. You may want to record additional facts about the scene, like a description of the cars, a log of any visible damage and the contact information of any witnesses.

When it comes to car accidents, knowing what not to do is also important. After an accident, with the adrenaline pumping, many motorists have a tendency to babble. Take a deep breath, and resist the urge to talk. Avoid making any statements that could be interpreted as an admission of fault (for instance, do not say "I'm sorry" to the other driver). Provide only a brief, factual description to the police and your insurance agent when you call him or her. Until you call a personal injury lawyer and get further advice, do not speak to anyone else about the accident -- not the other driver, and certainly not the other driver's insurance company.

Preserve Your Right to Compensation by Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney

Anyone involved in a car accident should get in touch with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. It is important for your attorney to begin their own investigation with haste; physical evidence deteriorates over time, witness memories fade and there is a time limit on filing a claim against the other driver.

When you've been in an accident, you deserve full and fair compensation for your injuries and any damage to your property. Make sure you get it by taking the right steps after your accident, and by calling a personal injury attorney quickly to begin building your case.

Article provided by Soble, Poss & Moore PLLC
Visit us at www.spmlawfirm.com