It can be difficult to handle yourself the right way and to make the right decisions after a car accident. Traffic accidents tend to happen suddenly and they can be accompanied by extreme emotions, anxiety and feelings of confusion. 

While it is understandable that so many people make mistakes when they are trying to deal with a car accident, you need to do your best to make the right decisions. The way in which you handle the minutes and days after the accident can make a big difference as it concerns your wellbeing, the wellbeing of the other people involved and your legal rights. 

If you want to protect yourself from some of the pitfalls that can exist following a car accident, it is a good idea to learn about what you should and should not do at the scene and through the following days. 

What should I do at the scene of an accident?

No one is entirely prepared to be in an accident. It is a jarring event and it is never a part of the plan when you get in a car. With that said, there are things you can do to make sure you are as prepared as you can be. One of those things is to learn what to do at the scene of an accident. You may even want to keep a checklist in your glove box so you don’t forget anything.

Safety first

The safety and wellbeing of those involved should be the top priority at the scene of a traffic accident. Check yourself for injuries and then move on to checking the other people who were involved. If anyone was injured, you need to call for an ambulance right away. 

Once you have tended to your injuries and/or those of others, you should try to move the cars out of the road if that is possible. Moving the cars will make the scene safer, but it should only do it if it can be done safely.

Contact police

It is a good idea to contact the police even if no one is injured. A police report will be important if you need to file a claim. Furthermore, a police officer can help to make the scene safer, collect evidence and help to settle issues concerning liability. Depending on the facts of the accident, you may have a legal obligation to contact the police.

Take notes

Even if a police officer does come to the scene, you should try to collect as much information as you can. The more information you can provide to your insurance company, the stronger your claim will be. This will include asking questions of the people at the scene and recording as much information about the accident as possible.

The following points can be important when collecting information at the scene:

  • Note as much about the conditions as you can. What was the weather like? Was it day or night? Was it sunny or cloudy? 
  • Record the facts of the accident. How many cars were involved? What types of damage did the vehicles sustain? Did any of the vehicles appear to be damaged before the accident?
  • Collect any information about injuries. Was anyone injured in the crash? What types of injuries can you observe? What types of injuries are being reported? Is anyone saying that they were not injured?
  • Take down the information of every vehicle involved. This includes make, model and the license plate number.
  • Get the full name and contact information of the other drivers. You should also ask for the insurance and registration information of the other vehicles. If one of the drivers is not the registered owner, you should ask for the contact information of the owner as well.
  • Has anyone said they were at fault for the accident?
  • When you have a chance, talk to the police officers and ask for their names and badge numbers.

Document the scene

Once you are done taking notes, you should get a camera and take pictures to document the scene. Since most of us have phones with cameras, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t have your phone or it was damaged in the car accident, ask one of your passengers or a bystander if you can borrow theirs. 

Try to get pictures that show the entire scene in one shot if you can. You should also take pictures of every vehicle and closer shots of damage to the vehicles. You should also take pictures of anything that seems relevant. If you see marks on the road or you notice a traffic sign that is obscured, it could be important evidence.

Contact your insurer

You should try to contact your insurer as soon as possible. Most policies do require you to report an accident within a certain amount of time for the claim to be valid. In this first contact, just report the accident and provide the basic information. If they ask questions to which you do not have an answer, tell them that you do not know. If you believe your insurance company is going to deny your claim, you might need to contact a car accident lawyer for assistance.

If you are contacted by the insurer of one of the other drivers, you should not make any statements until you have a chance to talk to a lawyer. There is no need to be confrontational about it, but you should just tell them that you can’t discuss the accident until you have legal representation. 

Were you injured in a car accident?

Seeking medical attention is the first thing to consider if you were injured in a car accident. For serious injuries, you would be put in an ambulance and rushed to a hospital. Even if your injuries were not that serious, you should still make seeing a doctor a priority. 

Some car accident injuries may not be obvious at the scene. As an example, whiplash is a common car accident injury. At the scene, it might seem like a minor ache in your neck, but as the days go on, the pain will get worse and you may even lose some of your range of motion. 

Seeing a doctor right away will be important if you need to file a claim. This will make it easier for the doctor to diagnose and treat the injury and it will also make it easier to tie the injury to the accident. When you do see a doctor, make sure to mention any symptoms you may have. This includes any aches or pains or if you feel dizzy or nauseous. 

Do you need an attorney if you are injured? 

There is no law that says you have to have a lawyer after a car accident injury. However, having a skilled attorney on your side can make things easier and it can go a long way toward protecting your rights and ensuring that you get fair compensation. As seen in the case MYERS V. STATE FARM MUT. AUTO. INS. CO., a plaintiff could be eligible for receiving just compensation for their own injuries or the injuries or wrongful death of a loved one. A lawyer will also be able to build a strong case for your claim and negotiate on your behalf. 

After an accident, you might be entitled to compensation for:

  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity 
  • Medical bills
  • Expected future medical expenses
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Punitive damages

It is also important to remember that there will be a statute of limitations for your claim. If you wait too long to file a claim or resolve the matter, you could lose your right to compensation. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits varies depending on the state, so you need to know how long you have to take action.

What you shouldn’t do after an accident 

Knowing what to do after an accident can be important for protecting your safety and your rights. Beyond that, there are a few things you should try to avoid doing after an accident.

The following are a few of the things you should not do after a car accident:

  • Do not admit fault for the accident. You should avoid discussing fault with anyone at the scene. That includes admitting fault or trying to put the blame on someone else.
  • Do not leave the scene. Wait for the police and only leave the scene when they say it is okay. Leaving the scene could hurt your claim and it could also get you charged with a hit and run.
  • Do not forget to contact your insurance company. As was mentioned before, your claim can hinge on how quickly you report the accident.
  • Do not refuse medical attention. You might feel fine after a car accident, but that does not mean that you do not have any injuries. Go see a doctor to be safe.
  • Do not lie. Whether it is at the scene or days later, you should never lie about what occurred or how you feel. Tell the truth about everything and don’t exaggerate. If you feel apprehensive about answering a question, say that you would rather talk to a lawyer before providing details.

Getting in an accident is bad enough. You don’t want to make the situation any worse by not handling the situation as well as you can. With this information, you should know what to do if you get into an accident and if you are injured in that accident. If you are ever unsure about what to do after an accident, you should contact a lawyer before moving forward. 

Autor:
Rae Steinbach
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