First Steps After A Car Accident

The very first rule or law after a car accident is to stay put. Do not drive off. If you are in a secluded area it is even best to stay in your car due to reports of individuals being robbed or killed when they exited their vehicle to check on others or their vehicle. Of course, this is not always possible if you do not have a cell phone to call for help. Just use caution. Conulting a car accident attorney is paramount after your safety.

After a car accident, you should not move your car from the position it is in at the time of the accident, unless it is blocking traffic. The less you do to the accident the better for finding the responsible party for the auto accident.

If you are not injured, you should get out of your car and check on others in the other vehicle to ensure they are not injured. You should call for help if anyone is injured. Do not move any victim unless it is necessary such as gasoline on the roadway, which may ignite. Some injuries can be worsened by moving the individual if you do not have the proper training to move an injured person.

Call the police even if no one has been injured. You should ask the officer to file a police report concerning the car accident. The police report will assist your car accident attorney when building your car accident case. If the accident was minor you may not need to call the police, however you should exchange information with all parties involved in the accident. The information you should exchange includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information. If there were witnesses to the accident, also gather their information, in case you need them at a later date.  All the above information is crucial for your car accident attorney.

Take pictures, if possible, of the accident scene. This will help your car accident attorney later to prove the liability of the driver responsible for the accident as well as damage done to your vehicle or property.

Contact your insurance company as soon as you can after the accident. Provide your insurance company with all the information concerning the car accident. Talk with an car accident attorney to ensure your rights are preserved.

If you need medical attention, be sure to keep all the information regarding your injuries, treatment, and cost.  Your lawyerl will most likely include your medical costs in your claim against the other driver involved in the accident.

Get estimates on the damage done to your vehicle. It is best if you visit more than one repair shop so you have more to show in court as to the extent of damages.

Before signing a settlement agreement with an insurance company, consult with your lawyer to ensure you receive what you are entitled to receive for your injuries and damages.