There are very specific steps that you must take if you are involved in a car accident. First things first, you should immediately call the police. Not only will their report be essential in the future, but you never know what can happen after an auto accident. Most people involved in accidents want to exchange information and move on, but there can be the potential for an altercation. It is always best to call the police for your protection.
Arguably, one of the most important things to do is to not admit fault. You must remain silent about the matter. On the other hand, it is important to take note of statements made by the driver in regards to the accident. This is usually when pulling out your smartphone and recording would be a good idea. Gathering as much detail about the accident will prove very useful. Taking down the other driver’s information is essential. At a minimum, make sure to take a record of their name and insurance information. Ideally, you would also want the other driver’s license number and home address as well.
If there are witnesses to the accident, you will want their contact information. Other important evidence would include the location and the description of the road, the weather during the accident, and finally, photographs of the vehicles; this will be very useful for your claim. Preferably, it is ideal to take a video of the scene. Be thorough; more is better. Include the overall scene, the state of the vehicles, the placement of traffic signs and crosswalks, as well as any other pertinent information. Finally, get the names of police officers involved so you can attain the accident reports. This is crucial.
Irrespective of how you feel right after an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Certain injuries may take some time to set in or can be much more severe than initial post-accident injury symptoms would indicate. Never overlook the importance of seeking immediate medical attention. If the accident does warrant a case, having a record of any injuries would prove critical towards receiving medical care compensation. Medical treatment can be costly and you don’t want to be stuck with this debt, especially if you are not at fault for the accident-related injury.
Finally, attain the representation of an experienced auto injury attorney. This will be the most impactful component of this process. It is important to have counsel, especially when dealing with insurance companies. You don’t want to be bound to anything that would deny you of your full potential compensation. This is why having an attorney help you deal with this process is very important. At Maes Law, we have the experience to help you in dealing with an automobile accident. Contact us for help.
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