Taking the right actions after a car accident can be very important, especially if someone has been injured. Calling 911 and letting the police and emergency services know about the accident should be step one. If medical attention is needed, it’s imperative that help come right away.
There are some additional steps you should take as well:
- Remain at the Scene – do not leave the scene of the accident until you are cleared to go by police
- Get Involved Participant’s Information – make sure to get the contact information and insurance details of anyone who was involved in the accident
- Get Witness Contact Information – if there is a witness or witnesses it’s important to get their information so that they can contribute their perspective on how the car accident occurred
- Take phots of the Accident – take phots of your car, the other car, and the overall scene and try to do it from different angles
- Preserve any Physical Evidence – this would include any pieces or parts of the damaged car
- Report the Accident to Insurance – call your auto insurance company right away to let them know you were involved in a car accident
- Keep Medical Bills Organized – if the car accident does result in injuries, make sure to keep all your medical bills and keep them organized for easy accessibility
- Keep a Journal of Injuries and Doctor Visits – write down the injuries you have sustained in detail and include a timeline of doctor visits to take care of the injuries; in addition, it’s a good idea to take photos of the injuries
- Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer Right Away – if a car accident does result in injury, you should contact an attorney to determine if you can file a claim; there are statute of limitations on time limits for filing a claim