5 Steps to Take Immediately Following a Car Accident

Just about everyone who drives for any length of time will eventually get into an accident. Fortunately, most of them are very minor without any significant damage or injuries. Many people don’t realize it, but injuries such as whiplash from even minor accidents can present themselves the following day. Of course, for more serious accidents it is also important to protect your legal rights. Taking the following steps immediately after an accident will help ensure you are in a good position no matter what happens.

Call the Police and Ensure Everyone is Safe

The first thing to do in an accident is to make sure everyone is safe. If there is any indication of an injury at all, it is best to call an ambulance to come check them out for serious injuries. Along with this, you should contact the police to ensure a police report is filed.

Exchange Information with the Other Party and Any Witnesses

You will need to exchange information with the other party involved in the accident. In most cases, this will simply mean trading names, phone numbers, and insurance information. If there were witnesses to the accident, getting their name and number is also a good idea. It is better to have this information and not need it than to need it and be unable to reach them.

Gather Evidence

Getting as much evidence from the scene of the accident as you can is a good idea. Some people rely on the police to do this type of thing, but unless there is a fatality, the police usually don’t take the time to do any significant investigation. The best way to gather evidence is to take pictures of the entire area. Take pictures of the damage to all vehicles and property, any skid marks on the pavements, and anything else that may seem relevant. If you experienced any injuries, take pictures of those as well.

Seek Medical Attention

If you are seriously injured, you would likely have gotten medical attention right from the beginning. Even if you aren’t seriously injured, however, it is a good idea to be checked out by a medical professional. They can look for signs of injury that may not be obvious to most people at first glance. Additionally, having documentation of medical treatment can be very important should a lawsuit be filed.

Contact an Attorney

In the event that you are injured, it is a good idea to talk to an attorney about what happened. They can help you determine whether you have a legal case that could cover your medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, and other damages. Contact Abdallah Law to schedule a consultation right away.

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