No matter who is at fault, you should always be ready for the possibility of being in an automobile accident. By being prepared, you can safeguard your right to file a claim with your auto insurer against the negligent motorist who caused the accident and defend yourself if the other driver wrongly accuses you of causing the collision. Below are five things to do after being involved in a car accident.
1. Move to Safer Area and Check for Injuries
Check to see if there are any injuries right away. If this is the case, dial 911 to have emergency services such as the police and an ambulance dispatched. In several places, you must report a car accident to the police regardless of whether it was a minor collision and the other motorist was helpful. Further, by doing so, you will have the detailed statement that your insurer would want.
All operable automobiles should be moved to the side of the highway or off the main route and their hazard lights activated. Pull entirely off the road to prevent being hit by oncoming traffic.
2. Seek Medical Help
Most trauma victims try to minimize its effects by insisting they are fine. Many people desire to go home and begin processing the experience, but getting checked out at the hospital first is vital, as unpleasant as possible.
Always better to err on the side of caution than regret later. Get checked out even if you don’t think you’re sick. Disk herniation, nerve compression, internal hemorrhage, edema, and other hidden problems are all possibilities.
Sometimes, the signs of a severe injury don’t show up immediately. Pain, dizziness, and numbness are all symptoms of personal injury that may not manifest until days or weeks after the initial incident. More importantly, the longer you wait to seek medical attention following an auto accident, the harder it will be to prove that the collision caused your injuries.
3. Take Photos
Suppose you want to ensure you can afford the finest care possible for any damages you receive. In that case, it is important to photograph your health coverage card and other necessary paperwork. Using a smartphone or camera, you should also take pictures of the crash site.
Record everything by making copies of important papers and taking videos or photos. It’s preferable to take more images and movies than are required to avoid missing important moments. You have the burden of proof in a personal injury action, which includes proving the extent of your injuries, the other party’s negligence, and your financial losses.
4. File a Claim with Your Insurer
Contacting insurance providers to file claims may be necessary based on who was at fault in an accident. It’s in everyone’s best interest to let the police handle the lawsuit if there are contrasting accounts of who was at fault in the collision.
It could be tempting to manage the situation without involving insurance firms, but doing so could put you in danger. The costs associated with vehicle damage could also seem much lower than they are to those unfamiliar after an accident.
5. Contacting Your Car Accident Lawyer
To assist you in avoiding legal trouble, your personal injury lawyer in Lakeland, FL, could provide you with the necessary information. The insurance carrier can be contacted for assistance with filing a Personal Injury Protection claim. Sometimes, even the insurance provider you’ve paid payments to for years will act antagonistic toward you and your injury protection (PIP) claim.
A documented statement is required by law. Your insurance firm will pay for you to see a physician of their choice to assess if you need any more care covered by your PIP coverage.
The majority time, doctors will find that you don’t need any more care related to the accident and will therefore end your PIP privileges. After your auto accident attorney submits a Letter of Representation to the insurers, all future correspondence must go through the attorney’s office.
Conclusion
As vital as it is to understand what to do during the aftermath of a car crash, it is equally critical to understand what not to do. Accidents do occur! In the long term, you would save time, stress, and money by being honest.
