Accidents involving motor vehicles have devastating consequences regarding pain and injuries, psychological trauma, property damage, and more. After an accident, one gets a sense of confusion about what to do next, forgetting the possibility of having to go to court regardless of what or who caused the accident.
It would be best if you considered hiring the help of a car accident attorney as soon as possible, as they will help cover and represent your case in court. Below is how you can protect yourself from an accident.
Top 8 Ways You Can Protect Yourself After an Accident
1. Get Yourself out of Harm’s Way
If you are on a busy road, assess yourself for any injuries and try to move to the side of the road if you are not hurt. If you have passengers, examine their condition and try to keep them out of harm’s way.
If you can see or smell any leakage, turn off your car and exit the vehicle immediately. Put road signs or your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the danger ahead. Do not panic in this case and remember that it is most important for you to stay cool-headed, calm, and collected. You won’t be of help to yourself or others around you if you are panicking.
2. Call the Police
Although it may seem like an obvious step to do, oftentimes, people are in such shock or panic that they block this part and even forget their local police’s number. However, try to stay focused. If you cannot see traffic police near the accident area, be sure to call them as they will be able to access the situation and write an accident report form. This report is important while filing an insurance claim. Once the police are there, tell them everything from your point of view and how it got to this situation. They will also ask for your documents and they will take pictures of everything for further investigation.
3. Seek Medical Attention Right Away
The impact of a car accident can cause injuries that may not be visible or felt at first. This happens more often than you might think. It is always good to get a medical checkup because your doctor will detect any unseen damages and will help you out with your specific treatment. There are different types of injuries, such as soft tissue injuries and broken bone injuries. Your doctor will be able to treat wounds and prevent future complications from not treating them immediately and properly.
4. Contact a Legal Representative
A car accident lawyer is essential in handling your case while you recover from your injuries and give yourself time to get back on your feet. They will not only act as your negotiators, but they will also ensure you get proper medical care from the best hospitals. With a lot going on, you might not be prepared to go to court, but having a lawyer by your side will make your process a lot less stressful. Luckily, the team at www.greenberglawoffices.com has been handling cases like these for years. Whether your crash involved another car, a commercial truck, a motorcycle, they can help with financial compensation for your damages and losses. Get in touch and start making the right move.
5. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Many insurance service providers want to be informed of the accident immediately after the occurrence. This is for them to start with their investigations and start with compensating you for the injuries and damages. No company is the same, which means that different car insurances and agents will have different things to offer. Some can be beneficial and others harm your bank account. This is why you should ask your lawyer for the right approach. Also, before getting a car, we advise that you always reconsider your chosen insurance policy. Full protection and rather being safe than sorry should be your motto.
6. Take Pictures
As we said at the beginning of this article, a police officer will take pictures and write an in-depth report of how everything went down. However, you should know that they are only doing this part of a job for themselves and for their insight information, meaning that their pictures may not be of use for your personal benefits. In case you can move, it is critical to take photos of the car and yourself right away, as they will be used as evidence in court. Keep this and give it to your lawyers; they will know what to do with the grandfathered evidence.
7. Document Everything
Write down everything immediately as you can remember and once you are safe and sound, as well as way more relaxed. It is important because this little step will turn out to be big in the long run. In fact, it will help you stick to your story in a court of law. With a lot going on, you might forget important details of the incident, and the other parties’ lawyers will use this evidence to ensure you do not get compensated. Do not have anyone twist your story, and make sure that your timeline is right. Talk the strategy through a couple of times with your lawyers.
8. Take Contact Information
Last, but certainly not least, you need to document everything that’s in front of you while paying close attention to all the details. Document the other drivers’ information, such as their name, license plate, car model, insurance information, phone number, email address, and even phone number. It may seem like a lot of overwhelming information at a given moment, but the truth is that you can’t file and build a case without these necessities. With these steps, you will feel a lot more relaxed knowing that you can build a case in the future. Make a note of any witnesses’ contact information as well.
Ready to win your case?
You can easily protect yourself if you act accordingly and by following these crucial 8 tips and tricks. Do not panic and give yourself time to recover mentally. Put your job on hold and get rid of anything that is causing you stress. In a couple of days, you will be back on track!
