What do you do After a Car Accident?

Have you been involved in a car accident? You want to take the necessary steps afterwards to look out for your interests and help your case in the event that you require compensation. With millions of car accidents taking place each year, it is a very common occurrence and you never know when it may come up. It is best that you turn your case over to a qualified Columbia personal injury attorney to help you find a solution.

Seek Medical Attention

Your first concern should always be your health and the health of any other individuals that are involved. Once you have made sure that you are ok, you can check on your passengers or the passengers of the other car. If medical attention is needed this should be done before anything else. Call 911 if it is an emergency and those with injuries are unable to wait until they get to the hospital to receive attention. It is often a good idea to be examined to make sure that there are no issues and to have a record in case you later take out a case. If you have suffered injuries you will want an assessment that demonstrates the level of your injuries and how they are expected to influence you. Some injuries may require shorter treatment while others will be ongoing.

Get to Safety

Once you have collided and your car comes to a stop, you may still be in a dangerous location. Your car could still be on the road or you may be on the side of the fast lane. Many accidents can take place right after another accident has occurred because drivers do not have time to stop, they are not paying attention to what is ahead of them or they are looking at the car accident and end up hitting the vehicle in front of them. Just because your accident is over doesn't mean that you are safe. If you are on the freeway and you cannot get your car to the side, get back in the car and fasten your seatbelt until help is there. If you are able to pull your car to the side of the road, do so to avoid another accident.

Exchange Information

There are a number of information pieces you will want to get from the other driver so that you can get started on the process. Take down their name, address, phone number, driver's license, vehicle license number and the contact information of other passengers in the car. You will also want their insurance information including their provider's name, contact information and policy number.

Take Pictures

You want to record the information at the time it happens so keep a camera in your car or use your phone if it is able to take a clear picture. Take a photograph of damage that has occurred to both cars or to any property. Take a photo of the location where the accident took place and if the cars have not been moved since the incident, take a picture that shows the full scene. You can also take pictures of the other driver's information, such as their license or insurance card.

Document the Event

In addition to the pictures that you take, right down your account of what took place. In the initial moments after the accident it can be challenging to gather your thoughts but since the incident is still fresh you may be able to remember things that you will forget later. The notes you take now may help you a great deal when you are trying to recount the accident later. You will need to give your account to the insurance company too and this can help you to remember what took place. You also want to keep a folder and good record of any documents relating to the accident.

Don't Admit Fault

Right after an accident it can be difficult to remember what happened. You do not want to say anything in regards to whose fault it was at this point. This includes not discussing if you think the other party is liable with them. Exchange information, give the police your statement and leave it at that. You can work with your attorney later to determine what role each driver played in the accident.

Obtain a Police Report

The police may be called to the accident and will come and make a report. If not, you should call them so that there is an official document. You will want a copy of this report for your personal records. You also want to check that the report is accurate, such as if they left out any details like injuries. Without this information on the report it could potentially slow down a claim.

Talk with an Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident you may rightly have a claim to compensation. You want to have this assessed by a professional who can provide further clarity and represent your claim or lawsuit. Having an attorney represent you may offer greater ease throughout the process as they will understand what comes next and how to handle it. It can also have a great influence in the final results that are obtained. Personal injury cases can be incredibly trying and you do not want to be the one to shoulder this weight. It is best that you have a professional that can educate you on the process, build a strong case and deal with the many details that arise.

It will be necessary to show that the other party was negligent in their actions and this directly influenced you. Injuries can lead to considerable complications and you may face a high expense, be put out of work or debilitated in your daily actions. If someone else's error is to blame, you should receive justice in your case. Our firm will seek to obtain this for you and we have been successful doing so for many of our clients.