The Actions You Need to Take Following a Car Accident

Car accidents tend to cause serious physical and emotional damage to the victims. They may also push the victim into deep financial stress. Then there’s the possibility of the victims losing their lives. 

Seeking compensation for your car accident is the best course of action if you were involved in one. Get in touch with a lawyer and find out how you can make the at-fault driver pay for their mistakes.

The journey to fair compensation begins immediately after the accident has occurred. There are certain things you must do to make sure that you have a bright chance of a successful car accident claim. This article focuses on that. We’ve discussed what you must do immediately after a car accident.

1. Move to safety

Accidents can happen anywhere. If your wrecked car lies in the middle of the street, there are chances that someone else might hit it. If it’s on the highway, the odds of a pile-up are pretty high.

Collision with other vehicles aside, there are also chances that the accident may have damaged your or the other vehicle’s gas tank. Gas leakage at an accident site is a recipe for disaster.

This is why you must move away from the vehicle to a safe area, away from the accident site.

2. Call 911 and the police

If anyone in the accident has suffered serious injuries, call 911. You’ll get access to medical assistance to treat your injuries. Your medical records will be updated if you receive any medical treatment. This will come in handy when seeking compensation.

Also, don’t forget to call the police. You’ll need to let them know that an accident has happened. The law requires that all major accidents be reported to the police.

Once you reach out, an officer will arrive at the accident scene and investigate. Once their investigation is done, they will draft a police report that contains all the facts and findings of the accident. Insurance companies consider police reports as strong evidence when evaluating claims.

3. Collect information

You’ll need evidence to prove a car accident claim, and you have the perfect tool for it. Your smartphone. Snap pictures and record videos of everything relevant to the accidents. Injuries, damaged vehicles, tire marks, weather conditions, license plates, and just about anything you see.

Also, talk with eyewitnesses, record their statements, and collect their contact information as well. Don’t forget to take the at-fault driver’s insurance information. This is important in a car accident claim.

If you’re unable to do this, ask someone at the scene of the accident to do it for you.

4. Get in touch with your insurance company

You’ll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the accident. Usually, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that usually pays for damages. But informing your insurance company gives you a safety net. It’ll be useful if the at-fault driver’s insurance company bails on your claim.

Also, if you live in a no-fault state, your insurance company will compensate you if the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance.

5. Hire a Lawyer

At this stage, you have everything needed to file a car accident claim. Reach out to a lawyer. They’ll help you understand your rights and ensure all your losses and damages are included when calculating compensation.

Once the at-fault driver’s insurance company hears about the accident, they will get in touch with you. They’ll offer a lump sum as compensation in return for waiving liability and the right to seek compensation in the future. The compensation they offer is never sufficient.

Your lawyer knows what to say to keep the at-fault driver’s insurance company at bay. They’ll also negotiate hard with the insurance company, making sure you receive just compensation.

6. File a Lawsuit

Most car accident claims are settled out of court. However, some do go to court if the insurance company keeps rejecting fair compensation offers.

Your lawyer can represent you in court. They will make strong arguments before the judge and jury and present all the facts and findings of the case in a convincing manner.

Final Thoughts

You just read the six steps one needs to take after a car accident. These steps apply to all accidents, whether they are minor fender-benders or major T-bone accidents. They are written with the victim in mind, so you can rest assured that they will be useful in times of distress. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer, as they will be a reliable companion throughout the legal process. 

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