Getting into a car accident can be an awful, harrowing experience. You don't have to take it on alone, though. Maryland-based car accident attorneys Pinder Plotkin can help you submit claims and get what you're owed. You can call today for a free consultation on your case. Before that, though, here are some important steps you should follow after a car accident.

Get Medical Attention

The first thing you should do after an accident is to call 911. If you or anyone else involved in the accident needs medical assistance, as is likely, ask for an ambulance. Your top priority should be making sure that you and everyone else in the accident are alive and healthy before you take the next steps.

Gather Information On The Other Vehicle

In many cases, a car accident will result in police coming to the scene. However, this is not always the case, and even if the police do show up, they may not write a full report on the accident. That's why you should get all the information you can from the other driver and vehicle for yourself. This includes insurance company and police number, name, phone number, address, license plate number, and driver's license number.

Take Pictures

Once you've recorded information, and as long as it's safe to do so, pull out your phone and start taking pictures of the damage. In fact, you should take pictures of the damage done to both vehicles. These pictures will provide proof of impact, so it's important to take them before anyone leaves the scene. While you should take pictures of both vehicles, you can take more of your own to showcase just how badly your car was damaged.

Go To A Doctor

Even if you're not in immediate need of an ambulance, you should still head to a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Car accidents can lead to many long-term problems that may not be immediately visible to the untrained eye. A doctor can help you diagnose and begin dealing with those problems immediately, and that will also provide evidence that these issues are directly related to the accident.

Avoid These Mistakes

There are many common mistakes motorists make after an accident. Watch out for these:

• Driving away from the accident before getting information or before the police arrive.
• Not gathering necessary information, such as a description of the other vehicle, license number of the other driver, and so on.
• Not getting immediate medical attention, or believing that issues stemming from the accident will heal without medical attention.
• Speaking to your insurance company early and without proper preparation.

How To Avoid These Mistakes

We've already covered a lot of the steps you should take to avoid these common missteps. You should be sure to take photos that clearly document the damage to your car, gather all the information on the other vehicles and drivers involved in the accident, and speak to a doctor sooner rather than later about any potential injuries that might arise from the accident. Another important point is to be cautious about when and under what circumstances you talk to an insurance company. We recommend not speaking to an insurance company until you're represented by an attorney, especially if they want you to give a recorded statement.

Who To Contact If You've Been Injured In A Car Accident

Pinder Plotkin specializes in auto accidents, representing victims throughout the state of Maryland. We work hard to get our clients the compensation that they deserve. Car crashes can lead to major, life-changing injuries with long-last consequences. You shouldn't have to face that alone, and you should be represented by someone who will fight for what you're owed. The team of attorneys at Pinder Plotkin can help through all steps of the post-accident process. We can help you with the frustrating process of filling out and submitting overly complex accident claims. We can provide legal guidance through each step. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.