What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

Ensure Safety

If your vehicle does not end up in a safe location, out of danger from potentially being involved in another collision, where your stopped vehicle can be struck again, move it to a safe location, such as on a shoulder of the road if one exists where you are located.

If you can safely leave your vehicle where it ended up after the accident, leave it where it is. Next turn on your hazard lights, and call 911. You will want a police report to document the accident. Always request a police report even for minor accidents.

Law Enforcement

Explain the facts of how the accident occurred, and of course, do not admit fault for causing the accident. Request a copy of the police report or the police report number, if the officer is unable to provide a copy of the report at the scene. Remain respectful with law enforcement.

Document the Scene

Take photos of the vehicles, any visible injuries, skid marks in the road, traffic signs that show location and any cameras near the scene of the accident that may have recorded the accident when it occurred. Note the time, date, location and weather conditions.

Exchange Information

Get the names, phone numbers, insurance policy number and company and driver’s license information of the other drivers involved in the accident. If they are unwilling to provide, ask the police officer who arrives after you call 911 to collect this information for you.

Avoid Making Statements About Fault

Don’t say anything that can be misinterpreted as you admitting to causing the accident. Don’t even say, “I’m sorry”. Other people involved in the accident can share this with insurance later and they may use it to try to deny coverage to you later. Stick to the facts when speaking with police at the scene.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Visit an Emergency Room or Urgent Care immediately after you leave the accident scene, even if you feel “fine”. Many accident related injuries can take a day or so to surface, such as soft tissue injuries, whiplash or other internal trauma. Adrenaline after an accident often masks pain for several hours following a car accident. Medical records will help support an injury claim.

Treat early and often following your initial medical treatment. Seek further review from an Orthopedic doctor. (You may need an appointment with your primary care doctor for an Ortho referral). An Ortho may prescribe recommend that you receive additional treatment such as through physical therapy or chiropractic treatment, depending on the extent of your injuries, while the Ortho monitors your recovery progress.

It’s important to pursue MRI imaging, especially for things such as common neck and back injuries that arise after an accident. While you may get X-rays or CT scans following an accident, they will not be able to fully demonstrate injuries caused by the accident, such as herniated or bulging discs in your spine. Further, if you incur a traumatic brain injury or concussion, you should see a neurologist and request appropriate brain MRIs.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Immediately after Receiving Initial Medical Care

Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer before speaking with any representative of any insurance company. Get legal advice before accepting any settlements. A car accident lawyer can help determine legal fault, negotiate with insurers and calculate damages. A good car accident attorney will guide you through the process and will recommend not negotiating any type of settlement until your medical treatment is complete and you feel that you have been restored to the condition you were in prior to the accident.

Finally, most injury lawyers provide free consultations and contingency fees, which means no upfront costs for you and you will pay your lawyer nothing if you recover nothing from insurance.

Preserve All Evidence

Make sure that you save all photos, videos, medical bills, repair estimates and anything else you have related to the auto accident for your lawyer. Maintain a journal of symptoms, emotional impact and your path to recovery.

Keep Your Accident and Anything that May Undermine Your Injury Claim Off Social Media

Avoid sharing photos or details about your accident on social media. Further, avoid posting activities or engaging in activities that may undermine the seriousness of your injuries. These things can include workout posts, posts of hiking or other physical activities, heavy travel, sky diving and other activity that makes it look like you are not hurt. Social media is frequently monitored by insurance companies and insurance defense attorneys.  

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, Uber accident, Lyft accident, slip and fall accident, pedestrian accident, bicycle accident, boating accident or other type of accident that was someone else’s fault, contact our office for a free consultation and let us help you navigate the road to recovery and being made whole.

Contact Biazzo Law today at (914) 262-4946 or alyssa@biazzolaw.com to schedule a free consultation today. www.biazzolaw.com

** Information in this blog should not be considered legal advice, nor does it form an attorney-client relationship

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