What to do immediately after a car accident.
If you were injured in a car accident, seek medical treatment immediately. Waiting too long to get medical care after a car wreck may make your injuries worse and may negatively impact your right to seek legal compensation.
Immediately after a car accident, call 911 and get assistance from the police. The police will make sure everyone is safe after the accident. The police will document what happened and collect important insurance information from you and the at-fault driver. Once the police arrive, if you are able, take pictures of the accident scene and the damage to the vehicles.
Be careful talking to the other drivers involved in the car accident. It is okay to tell the police and other emergency workers what you remember. However, don’t try to guess how the car accident happened if you aren’t sure.
Do not apologize for the accident. It may feel natural to apologize to the other drivers in a car wreck, even if the accident was not your fault. But saying “I’m sorry” at the accident scene may be used to show that you were at fault when you bring a claim for personal injuries. What you say to the other drivers and passengers in the car accident may impact your right to a settlement. After you’ve sought medical treatment, contact a car accident attorney. Nearly ever car accident attorney will offer you a free consultation. So, you have nothing to lose by contacting an attorney to discuss your rights.
Be careful when talking to an insurance company, including your own. Insurance companies may try to get you to downplay your injuries, and will use this to try to lower your settlement down the road. Do not let an insurance company take your recorded statement without first talking to a car accident lawyer. Check out our article on auto accident insurance adjusters.
