A car accident can be both frightening and dangerous. Even if you aren’t physically injured in a crash, the experience can leave you shaken and upset. In fact, some people even experience trouble getting behind the wheel again after being involved in an accident due to anxiety and stress.
Although the experience can be troubling, there are some things you can do after a car crash to minimize disruption, aid in recovery if injured and improve your odds of receiving compensation for things like medical bills.
Below are five steps you should take after a car crash:
1. Your Safety is Your Main Priority
In any type of car crash event, your safety needs to be your first priority. If you can safely do so, remove yourself from your vehicle after you are certain you are not severely injured. Be mindful of any nearby traffic. If you are not able to safely get out of your vehicle, call for help at once, remain as still as possible and wait for assistance from emergency responders. If you can exit the vehicle, get to a safe place and call for help.
2. Contact Emergency Medical Services
If you have been injured, you should consider seeking urgent medical care. Even if you have only sustained minor injuries, it’s a good idea to be checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not seem serious at the time, but they may have the potential to become more serious in the coming days, weeks, months or even longer. Another benefit to being checked out is that you have a record of your injuries and documentation of any treatment you receive.
3. Document Everything
Next, try to document as much of the scene as possible. This includes documenting any injuries to your person and any damage to your vehicle. This can be done using both photo and video, but you can also write down details or make a voice recording narrating the experience. This is especially helpful if you seek compensation later.
4. Provide Insurance Information to the Police
The law enforcement officer who responds to your call for help will create a report and will provide a copy to you and the other party involved in the accident. While you are free to exchange insurance information before law enforcement arrives, it’s a good idea to exchange this information in the presence of an officer so that you have a witness who can testify that the information was provided.
5. Partner With an Attorney
The last step is to partner with a car accident attorney who can discuss your case and provide you with options to seek compensation. Your attorney will also be able to offer representation in court should your case require litigation. While you can pursue compensation on your own, the process is typically complex and may involve a number of hurdles that can be difficult to overcome without legal experience. Your car accident lawyer will typically handle all of the hard work for you so that you can focus on recovery.
To learn more about steps you should take after a car accident and to learn about your legal options after a car crash, contact a car accident lawyer at D.R. Patti & Associates. You can call our client coordination team at (702) 331-3391 or click here now to contact one of our car accident attorneys online.
D.R. Patti & Associates
720 S. 7th Street, 3rd Floor Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
(702) 331-3391
