Being involved in a car accident can be extremely unfortunate, and depending on the severity of the collision, a long road to recovery can be daunting. While there’s no debating just how unpleasant vehicle collisions can be, how you handle the situation can determine whether or not you can seek compensation and just treatment for your experience. If you are not the responsible party, you will be able to insist on compensation and other costs from the responsible party.
Alternatively, if the responsible party has fled the scene, you can seek compensation for your experience from your insurance company. However, you will need to rely on the legal representation of specialized personal injury or car accident attorneys to ensure the positive outcome of the lawsuit. When it comes to handling the immediate situation correctly to solidify your legal rights, you should do these five essential things after being involved in a car accident.
Protecting The Accident Scene
While you should never flee the scene of a vehicle collision, whether you are responsible for the accident or not, you will also need to take measures to protect the scene. You may need to keep your flashers on to prevent further collisions. What’s more, it is also wise to photograph the accident scene immediately as your photographic evidence will strengthen the lawsuit.
Contact Authorities
Even in instances of minor car accidents, it is still essential to contact the authorities immediately. Phoning the local police, tow trucks, and emergency medical services are vital to ensure the positive outcome of your claim. Even if there are no injuries, you will still need to contact the authorities to evaluate the scene and provide you with a detailed accident report.
Exchange Information With All Involved Parties
Granted, the other involved parties have not fled the accident scene; you will need to collect their information and provide them with your information. The exchange of information will be beneficial for your claim in compensation.
Report The Accident To Your Insurer
Even if you can seek compensation directly from the responsible party, your insurance company should still be informed of the accident. The vast majority of insurers require immediate reporting of accidents and avoiding this detail may mean that your excess will be higher or that the insurer will attempt to fold on payouts.
Consult Your Doctor
Even if you do not notice any immediate injuries, you will need to consult your doctor to ensure you are not experiencing internal injuries that can be fatal. What’s more, internal bleeding is not the only silent injury as whiplash is exceptionally common. You may be enduring larger amounts of adrenalin following the accident, which can mask the sensation of pain for quite some time. Your medical report will be useful towards the outcome of your lawsuit whether you have been seriously injured or not.
Once you have consulted your doctor and reported the incident to your insurer, you will need to follow up with your lawyer. Your legal practitioner will handle the large majority of the lawsuit for you.
