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STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

On Behalf of | Aug 26, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

The time immediately following a car accident can be one of the most difficult someone experiences considering the shock and adrenaline that comes from the situation. And unfortunately, thousands of people go through this without legal guidance.

If this happens to you, it is important for you to know what steps you should take after the accident so you can better protect your rights. You need to completely understand how you can prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you during this difficult situation.

It may be hard to remember these at such a difficult time, but by taking these steps can put yourself in a strong position should you need to pursue legal action for injuries you may have sustained due to the negligence of another. Here are the stops you should follow to protect your rights after an accident.

1. QUICKLY GET TO SAFETY
Get your vehicle and yourself out of the road. The longer you are in the road, the more danger you and other drivers may be in. If you cannot move your vehicle off the road, you and any passengers need to quickly get to the side of the road or onto a sidewalk.

2. GET THE CORRECT INFORMATION
After the crash, you should get the responsible driver’s information – this includes a way for your insurance company to contact them, their insurance information, and anything else you think may be important to the case.
If there are any witnesses, you should also request their information so your insurance company can contact then and use their testimony if needed.

3. FILE A CLAIM WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY
Immediately contact your insurance company and let them know you’ve been in an accident, including where the accident occurred, what happened, what  damages you have incurred and if there were any injuries sustained any injuries. Reporting the accident quickly is important.

4. TAKE PICTURES
Following your car accident, pictures can be good evidence to use through the legal processes. For example, pictures at the scene of the accident could show potential issues with the road such as potholes, tire marks and/or missing traffic signals.
Make sure you also take pictures of your car, the other car, and any visible injuries you may have received. This could be helpful to show that you did, in fact, sustain significant injuries. In some cases, an adjuster can use pictures that have been taken to help determine fault.

5. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
Your health should be your top priority and should seek medical attention quickly. Some injuries may not be present right away, but by seeking help from a medical professional you can find out if you are injured and if your injury stems from the car accident.

6. CALL A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another in a car wreck, you can speak with a personal injury lawyer about your rights. Having a lawyer on your side from the very start means you will better understand what you can expect and it can also help you get the resources you need to move forward with your claim in confidence.
An injury attorney can listen to your statement, help you put together the evidence, and build a strong case for you. This is a very important step because you will have legal representation on your side, just like the insurance company will have their legal team on their side.

At Hardee, Massey & Blodgett, our car accident attorneys are dedicated to protecting your rights. We work hard every day to go the extra mile for our clients. Our ultimate goal is to help you prove your case and help you get the most favorable outcome.

We know this is a very difficult time and it is important for you to have someone on your side. You need to focus on your recovery, and we will handle all the legal matters for you. Our team has the experience, knowledge, skills, and resources you need.

Call us today at 252-378-2525 to speak with an attorney about your potential case. We offer free consultations to individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of another driver.