Steps to Take After a Car Accident: Protect Yourself, Your Passengers, and Your Rights
After you’ve had a car accident, you may be upset, injured and wondering about your next steps. However, there are a few actions that you can take in order to help protect yourself, your passengers and your rights.
Stay On Site: After you’ve been in an automobile accident, stop your vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident. Make sure that you do not leave until it is clear to do so. If the accident has taken place at night, you can set up flashers or flares to warn other drivers to steer clear.
Check On The Others Involved: If you can comfortably walk and move, check on the other passengers and drivers to see how they are doing medically. It is important to secure medical attention for those who need it. People with neck and back pain should not be moved until medical personnel arrive.
Call the Police: It can be a good idea to call the police to establish a record of the crash, even if no one is seriously injured. When there is a serious injury, major property damage or a fatality, the police must be involved. The police report can help with an insurance claim. It’s best to try and keep the vehicles where they are until the police arrive.
Gather Information: In addition to the police report, make your own record. This means collecting the names, phone numbers, insurance data, driver’s license and license plate information for all of the drivers as well as the contact information for all passengers. Taking photographs can also help supplement your documentation. Make sure to take plenty of photographs of the scene of the accident, not just the damage to the cares. Also, be careful about stating facts that are unclear or apologizing for things at the scene.
Contact Your Insurer: After you have been in a crash, call your car insurance company to let them know. Keep in contact with the insurer, including obtaining a valuation for property damage.
Get Medical Care: If you’ve been injured, you should receive treatment immediately at a hospital or clinic. It is important not to wait and to protect your health and mobility. Even if you do not immediately feel pain after a crash, it is important to visit a doctor for an examination, as some injuries can appear later. Keep all of your medical documentation on hand for reference.
Get an Attorney: If you’ve been in a car accident, you must protect your rights. Insurance companies will do everything they can to deny your claim or pay you as little as possible. Contact the best Las Vegas personal injury attorney, who can help you to avoid unjust, low-ball early settlements from insurance companies and to recover the maximum amount for your damages. Your lawyer can provide advice and representation to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been in an accident, contact the Schnitzer Law Firm. We’ll help to fight for you. Contact us at 702-960-4050 or use our simple online form to set up a free consultation with no obligation.