Top 5 Steps to Follow If You Have Been Involved in A Car Accident

1. Seek Medical Attention

As with any accident, the first thing to do is to make sure you and your passengers are okay. If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 to get emergency medical attention right away. If you can not move, ask a bystander to call for assistance. Applying direct pressure to the injured area can be a basic yet life-saving measure if someone is bleeding heavily from the accident. This will slow or stop the bleeding.

Due to injuries received in the collision or because it is unsafe to exit your car and walk on the road, you may frequently be required to remain in your vehicle after an accident. However, you ought to make an effort to move your vehicle to the side of the road in order to avoid collisions with other vehicles. Switch off your vehicle’s engine and/or turn on your warning lights. Please move to safety on the sidewalk or the side of the road if you are unable to move your car but are able to get out safely.

2. Document the Accident

You may have forgotten to gather some crucial information at this point because you have had to take so many precautions to protect your family, yourself, and the vehicle. That’s why consistently keeping your documents in order is essential.

Start the document exchange process by exchanging only contact details and insurance. By doing so, you avoid saying anything that might be later used against you. Below is a list of what you should collect for insurance claims:

• Name, contact details
• Policy number and insurance company
• License plate number and driver’s license
• Vehicle model, type, and color
• Where the accident occurred

Make sure you document all the information you can recall about what happened, speak with witnesses, take photos or videos of any damage to the two cars, and even record audio or video details.

Here are a few pointers for taking pictures of the accident scene.

Take pictures of any extra items that you think will add to the story. Take pictures of any construction, debris, potholes, or other roadside objects that may have contributed to the collision by causing a driver to swerve. Call the police and report the accident. Any subsequent insurance claims or legal actions will depend heavily on the accident report that the police write up. The majority of insurance companies require the filing of a crash report or police report in order to process a claim. Even in the event that the police do not arrive, you may still report an accident. Contact the police department or highway patrol in your area to learn how to file a post-crash accident report.

Take images from various perspectives. All angles of the vehicles involved in the collision should be photographed. Ensure that every car’s four corners are captured in your pictures. Take photos of any fluid leaks and the damage.

Give the picture a sense of scale. For example, if you’re photographing a dent or scrape marks on your fender, it can help to use an object like a coin or a key to give a sense of scale.

Take pictures from more than one distance. If possible (and safe), stand at least 10 feet away from your car, the other car(s), and/or any other object that you may have collided with (like a street sign). Gradually move toward the point of collision, taking more photos as you get closer.

Capture images of the surroundings. Capture images of the roadway. If the collision occurred at a crosswalk, it would be wise to take pictures of any traffic signals or street signs. Take photos of any skid marks or gouge marks left on the pavement or dirt, too.

Take pictures of any damage to the car’s interior. This might include deployed airbags and shattered glass.

Take pictures of any injuries. Take pictures of any cuts, scrapes, or bruises if you can. Should you need to file an injury claim, this could be useful.

3. Inform Your Insurance Provider

Contact your insurance provider and let them know about the auto accident. They must be informed of the accident’s specifics and any injuries received. Furthermore, you might still have insurance coverage for the collision even if you weren’t in your own car and weren’t the driver. You might be able to get your damages covered by applicable uninsured motorist coverage if the driver or vehicle owner had no insurance. Additionally, you might have MedPay insurance, which can pay for medical expenses up until a settlement is reached.

4. Obtain witness contact information.

Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident if your injuries do not stop you from speaking with them. Third-party witnesses frequently leave the scene of the accident before law enforcement does. Because of this, significant witnesses may have already left the scene by the time law enforcement arrives, putting you in a position where your word is against the other driver’s. You can assist law enforcement in identifying the responsible party by gathering witness information.

Furthermore, police reports frequently omit witness information that would allow one to get in touch with them later. A witness’s name alone, without a phone number or other identifying information, may be all that is included in a police report. It might be hard to find a witness later on if they have a common name, such as John Smith. You will require the witness’s information in case you need them to testify in court. If at all possible, make sure you gather witness testimony at the scene of the collision.

5. Consider Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer

Should you become injured, you may want to consider speaking with a personal injury attorney. They will give you legal advice and assist you in pursuing damages for your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and other accident-related costs. An inpatient hospital stay following a car accident typically costs $60,000 or more.

However, complex cases involving comparative fault or previously denied claims may require more time to resolve.Furthermore, there might be issues with comparative fault, which means that one or both drivers might be at fault or might be accusing the other driver of being at fault. In certain cases, settlement offers are rejected to passengers because the drivers refuse to take responsibility for their actions; in these cases, a lawsuit against both drivers is necessary. After all medical care has been received, auto accidents typically come to an end within six to nine months. It could take longer to conclude complicated cases involving comparative fault or previously rejected claims, though.

Never forget to put your health and safety first, take the required actions to safeguard your legal rights, and pursue compensation for any harm or injury you have suffered.

Statute of Limitations

It is crucial to take your state’s statute of limitations into account. This will establish the time frame within which you can submit an injury claim following the collision. For instance, Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for auto accidents.

It is important to consult with a personal injury attorney who can assess the specific details of your case and provide guidance on whether pursuing legal action is appropriate and in your best interest. They can assess your case’s merits, establish who is at fault, and help you navigate the court system to get just recompense for your losses and injuries.

At Daniel and Daniel, our personal injury team has dealt with a variety of auto accidents, so we are aware of how confusing the process can be. Follow along as we dissect what to do in the event of a vehicle collision.

You may be entitled to monetary damages if someone else’s negligent acts caused you harm. It is simple to get started. Get help from our team of auto accident attorneys by requesting a free case evaluation. In order to help you seek damages and compensation for your injuries, our attorneys can assess the strength of your case, establish culpability, and assist you throughout the court proceedings.

Furthermore, keep in mind that there is no up-front cost to you—we do not get paid if you don’t.