A car accident can be traumatic, leaving you wondering what to do next. Every situation has unique challenges, from injuries to lost items to missing details. And when it seems like the whole world is telling you that nobody cares, it can be challenging to know what steps you should take in your situation. Here are five steps to take if you’ve been injured in an auto accident.
1. Seek Prompt Medical Care
If you are injured in a car accident, seek medical care promptly. Your regular doctor may be able to help manage your injuries, but should you have any major concerns regarding your health and well-being, it may be best to seek out a specialist. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, you want someone with some auto injury case experience. If you can’t afford health care coverage on your own, the state may provide the coverage for free or for a low cost depending on your circumstances.
2. Retain a Lawyer
Having a lawyer in your back pocket is always a good idea, but it’s essential if you’ve been injured in an accident. A lawyer can not only help you deal with the insurance company, but they can also help you collect the compensation that you deserve. Insurance companies are notorious for low-balling people at this point. They may even contact others involved in the accident to try and get information that will allow them to offer you less money. A personal injury lawyer can also help you ensure that you get the correct restitution amount for your expenses and losses. Do yourself a favor and get a lawyer to represent you in your case.
3. Notify Your Insurance Company
You should immediately notify your company about the accident if you have car insurance. The quicker you let your company know that you have been in an accident, the quicker they can get to work on your case. Remember that if you were at fault for the accident, your company might try to deny your claim or give you less than what is reasonable for your injuries.
4. Take Photographs
If it’s safe to do so and there is nobody around who may be injured, take photographs of the accident scene and any damage done. Getting the other party’s insurance company on your side can be difficult if they don’t have any pictures of the accident site. Make sure your car is safe to drive or note what it could cost you to repair so you’ll know how much you may need to pay out of pocket.
5. Call the Police
If you have been injured in an accident, call the police right away. It is a good idea to ask that the officer come to the scene of the accident to take a report and fill out a police report. It may be helpful for you later on if there are any questions about your level of fault or if you had been drinking before the incident.
A minor car accident can have unfortunate consequences if you unknowingly miss some crucial steps. By following these five steps, you should be able to handle most of the issues that arise from a car accident. But if there are questions that remain or you feel like the insurance company is not treating you fairly, it may be a good idea to consult a lawyer.