Following a car crash you’re most likely to be shaken-up even if there are no apparent damages present. Unfortunately, a car crash can happen to anybody and it can be difficult to know exactly what to do following an incident. By following some essential tips, however, you can better prepare yourself in case a car crash does happen.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Following a car crash your first step should always be to seek medical attention both for yourself, your passengers, and the other party. Even if it’s just a small fender-bender and you don’t even seem to have any injuries, it’s possible that you still have injuries under the surface that can become an issue later on. To prevent this call 911 immediately and have them dispatch both a police car as well as EMTs. When they arrive you will want the EMTs to examine everyone regardless of the severity of their injuries.
Gather the Necessary Evidence
There are several pieces of evidence that you can use to build your case as you file your claim/lawsuit. For starters, you will want to take pictures of the incident. Often people make the mistake of only photographing the damages sustained to their own vehicle, but you will want to also photograph damages sustained to the other party’s vehicle as well as any possible damages to the surrounding areas. You can also photograph any physical injuries as well. Make sure to take pictures of the damages from multiple angles.
Next, you will want to obtain the other driver’s insurance information, their license number, and license plate number as well as a number you can contact them at. This information you will use to file your police report which you will want to copy.
Other information you might obtain include eyewitness testimonies. This may include your own written account of the event as well as your passengers and anyone else who saw the incident. Lastly, if you do have injuries that require you to visit a doctor, make a copy of your medical records as well.
What to Do Next?
After you have all your information in order you have a couple of options. The first option is to file a claim and request that the other driver’s insurance company pays for the damages. The other option is to file a lawsuit. The first option is often recommended when you’ve only been in a minor fender-bender and when the other party is cooperative.
If you or a loved one get into a major accident, causing substantial property damages as well as physical injuries then a lawsuit might be a better option. Unfortunately, insurance companies will sometimes try to undermine the severity of an incident by offering inadequate pay. Following a car crash, there’s a good chance that you’ll require substantial compensation and may even have expenses for years to come. That’s why it’s recommended to contact our friends at the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. They have experienced a car accident attorney that can help you receive the proper compensation following a car accident.
