A car accident can happen at any moment and change a life forever. In these moments, especially if you did not cause the accident, it is important to maintain a level head and take the necessary steps to ensure you are physically healthy and legally covered.
Call 911
Regardless of who caused the accident or whether either part was injured, you should always call the police. They will need to come and take a record of the incident. These records will be critically important if you are injured or want to file a lawsuit as a result of the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured, you will want to get immediate medical attention. The circumstances and type of collision can impact the type and severity of your injuries. Common car accident injuries can range from cuts and bruises to whiplash and neck injuries. Even if you don’t have an injury that is immediately obvious, it is possible to have delayed injury symptoms. Monitor any changes in bruising, swelling, headaches, or back pain and follow up with your family physician.
Do Not Admit Any Liability
Following a car accident, you will speak to a lot of people, including police and insurance agents. At no point in the process should you ever admit to any liability. This includes admitting that you may have been distracted or were maybe driving too fast.
Record as Much Evidence as Possible
While at the scene, you will want to gather as much evidence as possible if the accident was not your fault. This includes taking notes at the scene and taking photos. Fortunately, you will likely have a cell phone with you that will allow you to record the exact damage and position of the vehicles. If you are injured at all, make sure to take photos or videos of those injuries.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been in a car accident that was not your fault and have sustained any type of property damage or injury, you should strongly consider contacting an attorney like The Pearce Law Firm, Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers, P.C.. If you have to file a claim, neither your insurance company nor the insurance company of the other party will be looking out for the best settlement. Instead, they will be looking for best way to save money, and that often results in accepting a smaller claim outside of court. We will look out for your best interests and help you fight for the settlement that you deserve.