The moments that follow an accident are usually accompanied by confusion and shock. It is often difficult to deal with what happened. Being involved in a collision is undoubtedly one of the harshest situations in your life. The trauma of this situation can cause you to react recklessly and make mistakes, thereby limiting your right to receive compensation and even making you responsible for the entire incident. Because injuries may have various physical and psychological consequences, you should take some measures immediately after a collision to protect yourself and your rights. That said, read on to learn what to do after being involved in an accident.
Safety Comes First
First things first: in the event of an accident, always stop, no matter how small it is. Even if you think that there is no damage, you should stop every time you crash into something. At the scene of the accident, the first thing you should do is check on everyone to make sure they are okay. If you can move, turn on the emergency flashers and get out of the car. If, however, either you or other passengers are seriously injured, call 911 straight away to dispatch an ambulance and document the incident. Moreover, it is a good idea to put flares around your car to forewarn other drivers. Typically, the scene should stay the same until the police arrive. However, if your car is creating a hazard in the middle of the road, move it to the side to avoid obstructing traffic. Don’t force yourself to move the car if you don’t feel well.
Documentation
Before moving your vehicle to the side of the road, document everything on the site. If you don’t have a camera, use your smartphone to take pictures of every little detail, including the location of the accident, and different angles of the two cars to show wreck and damage. Once you contact the insurance company, these images will come in handy. Additionally, it is best not to say anything that may put the blame on you or restrict your rights. It is also better if you don’t apologize or admit to doing something wrong, even if it seems rude. Accidents and injuries happen every day all over the USA, especially in Las Vegas. So, if you have a collision there, contact a Las Vegas car accident lawyer and they will inform you about what to do. No matter how minor the accident is, you need a professional lawyer to help you receive your insurance and conserve your rights.
Information Exchange
It is important to exchange contact information with the driver at the scene of the accident as this information will be required later when the insurance claim is processed. Be sure to record the following information: the driver’s name and phone number, their insurance details, the driver’s license and plate number, and the model of their car. As soon as the police arrive, be sure to ask for the report number and every police officer’s name and badge number. This may seem like a lot to do, but you need to ensure you are able to receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Insurance Claim
Since you have recorded the evidence and the information of the other driver, now is the time for an insurance claim. After obtaining all the mandatory information from the other driver, contact your insurance company right away. It is best to contact your insurance company before the other person makes a claim. Moreover, even if the collision is minor, you still need to contact your insurance company. If you don’t, you may lose the privilege of compensation. In addition, don’t ever contact your insurance company yourself. Your attorney should be the one to address them. Insurers do their best to provide as little compensation as possible. Therefore, you need your lawyer to talk to them and do everything possible to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Medical Treatment
If you have a serious injury, you must receive proper treatment at any medical center immediately. Since your health is so precious, the last thing to worry about is medical expenses. Remember that the more postponed medical care is, the more likely it is that the insurance company will deny that you were injured to start with. If you’re not seriously injured, you should know that most injuries caused by a collision may appear a few days or weeks later. That’s why it is best to do a complete assessment within a few days from the incident.
Hiring An Attorney
In case of an injury, you need to find an experienced lawyer to represent you. Your attorney will make your case their priority and fight for your legal rights to maximize your compensation. Attorneys also explain the entire process to you and provide different levels of legal advice and assistance. Even if you pay a lot of money to your lawyer, they may get you compensation that can be worth a lot more than your expenses.
Writing It All Down
To keep your memory refreshed after the accident, you should describe all its details and record everything in your diary or journal. If your case requires litigation, it may take several years before your case is ready to be held by the court. Therefore, it is necessary to record the accident information, the injuries resulting from it, the treatment received, and any expenses incurred after the collision. Your diary will help you remember details that you may forget or overlook over time.
Whether you’ve been involved in a serious crash or experienced a bit of a fender-bender, the impact that follows a collision may linger for quite a while. It can leave you in utter shock, or worse, with a severe injury that may greatly affect your life. There are crucial things that must be done immediately after a collision. Save the tips above to help you, should you deal with a similar situation. Finally, performing regular maintenance on your car, driving safely, and not breaking the rules of the road will ensure your safety and soundness.
Photo by Matt Chesin on Unsplash
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