A Step by Step Guide on What to Do After a Car Accident

What Are the Causes of Car Accidents?

There are many different reasons why car accidents happen. Traditional causes include reckless or drunk driving.

Here, vehicle operators are speeding or recklessly shifting between lanes. Another example is trying to aggressively pass another vehicle when conditions are not safe.

Running stop signs or red lights is also dangerous. Disobeying the rules of the road significantly increases the likelihood of an accident.

Poor weather is a major contributor to accident statistics. Snow, rain, and sleet diminish driving conditions leading to collisions.

There are drivers more susceptible to getting in an accident. Teenage drivers are statistically more prone to an accident than middle-aged people. As their eyesight and reaction time decreases, the elderly can get in more accidents as well.

Distracted driving accidents are on the rise in the United States. They are mostly caused by drivers using a mobile device while operating a vehicle. Unfortunately, more than 3100 people lost their lives due to accidents caused by distracted drivers.

What to Do After a Car Accident?

Now that you understand the different types of car accidents, it is time to go over the game plan if you get in one. There are some

important steps to take immediately after.

These steps may be instrumental in saving a life or making sure you receive financial justice later on. Continue reading to see what to do next:

Contact First Responders

Immediately after a car accident, you should dial 9-1-1. This deploys police and EMTs to the accident site.

A driver or passenger may require medical attention right away. In the worst cases, an accident victim needs immediate transportation to the hospital.

It is not safe to assume that you do not need medical attention. Some car accident injuries are present below the surface. They can only be diagnosed by medical professionals and advanced technology.

The police officers on site also play a vital role. Most importantly, the police file a report that documents the details of the car accident.

The responding police officer is going to interview witnesses to see what happened. They also make a determination whether any driving laws were broken prior to the accident taking place. If you decide to file a civil lawsuit in the wake of the accident, the police report may take center stage in the trial.

Collect Evidence

If medical conditions allow for it, you should also document what happened at the collision scene. It is possible for the police officer to miss a detail or a witness to the accident.

The best thing you can do is take your phone out and snap some pictures. Take pictures of the damaged vehicles and surrounding landmarks. If the accident took place at an intersection, take photos of the traffic lights or stop signs that were potentially ignored.

Also, exchange contact information with people at the accident site. These witnesses may come in handy if a civil lawsuit is brought before a judge.

Contact Your Insurance Company

The next step is to report the accident to your insurance company. This will start the process to get your vehicle repaired by a professional collision shop.

Each insurance company operates differently. However, the process typically begins with the initiation of a claim.

Then, the insurance company sends out a professional appraiser. The intent of this is for the insurance company to assess the cost of the repair. They may also give you a list of authorized repair shops to perform the maintenance.

Keep All Receipts

Getting in a major car accident involves incurring significant expenses. You may require follow-on medical attention including physical therapy, diagnostic tests, and visits with specialists.

There are additional expenses related to repairing the vehicle. You may have to pay insurance deductibles and other costs not covered by your auto insurance policy.

Other potential costs include missing work and lost wages as a result. Did your car accident injuries force you to use paid time off or go on disability? If so, it is important to document all lost wages.

Hiring a Lawyer

After a car accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer for a consultation. Here, you will discuss the circumstances behind the accident.

Your lawyer is experienced in personal injury cases and can advise on the merits of your case. They will review the police report, witness statements, and any other evidence that you collected.

Also, your lawyer evaluates the costs incurred by the victim. The intent here is to determine what kind of financial settlement you would be willing to receive.

There are a few different things to look for in your personal injury attorney. You want to make sure that they are experienced in this type of law.

Another important factor to consider is the attorney’s success rate. It is critical to hire a lawyer who frequently wins large financial settlements for their clients.

Your Step-by-Step Guide for Handling a Car Accident

You are now ready to respond in the aftermath of an accident. Each step is critical and you must be careful not to miss a thing.

The receipt of timely medical care and financial justice depends on knowing what to do. Steps like filing a police report and collecting receipts are imperative.

If you want to know more about what to do after a car accident, contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney. The professionals at Pablo G. Martinez Law Firm are here for you in your time of need.