You’ve been in a car accident—now what? It’s a disorienting experience, but keeping your wits about you and contacting an attorney will help you stay grounded. Below are some of the most important steps you can take after you’ve been in a car crash:

Consult with Medical Professionals 

The first step after any crash is to call 911. Even if it seems like no one has been hurt, it’s best to have medical professionals make that determination. One of the most common injuries after a crash is a concussion, and its symptoms might not be immediately apparent to the untrained eye. Waiting to pursue treatment can worsen some injuries or affect whether they are considered crash-related for liability purposes.

Calling 911 will also trigger the arrival of police so that you can file a police report. A police report will offer an objective analysis of what happened—useful not only for insurance purposes, but also if you decide to file a personal injury claim.

Consult with an Attorney 

Your next thought should be toward calling an attorney. One of the professionals at Pinder Plotkin can help you make sense of everything you need to do after a car accident and decide what your best course of action is.

You do need to call your insurance company, and the other driver’s insurance company will likely call you. Speaking to an attorney before talking with any insurance personnel can help you avoid saying something that might negatively affect the outcome of your claim. Some people assume that insurance will simply take care of everything, but insurance companies don’t always have your best interests in mind. They are, after all, businesses, and they will be looking for ways to protect their bottom line. This is not to say that most insurance companies are trying to cheat you, but an attorney can make sure you’re not settling for less than you deserve. Not every crash will result in a lawsuit, but a lawyer is the best person to help you determine if your situation warrants a personal injury case.

Document the Scene  

Exchange car insurance information with the other driver, but be careful not to admit fault or make statements accepting blame for the accident. In fact, it’s usually best not to discuss the details of the crash with the other driver at all, since you might unintentionally reveal details that could be used against you later.

It’s also important to take notes and even pictures or video of the scene as long as you’re safely able to do so. While the adrenaline is flowing from the crash, it may seem like the details are engraved in your mind; however, people’s memories tend to fade quickly. This is another great reason to consult with an attorney: a lawyer knows what to look for and what questions to ask to make sure to have all the right information.

In addition to recording the scene, you’ll also need to make notes of any injuries and medical diagnoses. It’s important to keep detailed records of all costs and bills, such as bills for your vehicle repairs, records related to medical diagnoses, the cost of lost wages related to your injuries, and more. 

File Your Claim

Your attorney can help you get a fair settlement from the insurance company and can also help determine if you have grounds for a personal injury case. It may not seem pressing to consider this right away, but there are statutes of limitations for filing these cases, and you could forfeit your right to pursue a case at all if you wait too long to file. Insurance companies aren’t known for acting quickly, so if you wait to see what they offer you, you may run out of time.

Between your health and the damage to your property, there’s a lot to keep track of after a car accident. An attorney from Pinder Plotkin can help you keep it all organized so you can get back to your life as quickly as possible. For personal injury claims, our contingent fee policy ensures that you will not pay a dime for fees or expenses unless we achieve a financial recovery for you. Please call us today at (410) 525-5337 or fill out our online contact form to receive a free consultation regarding your case.

The information provided in this website/blog is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.

References

Howie, C. (2008, May 9). What to do after a car accident. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/09/car.accident/

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