What to Do After an Accident

After an accident you might be unsure of who you should talk to or where you can go for help. While some people want to move on from the accident as quickly as possible, others feel like they should take some type of action.

Regardless of what type of accident you’ve been involved in, whether it was a car accident, motorcycle accident, truck accident, etc., it’s important to take the following steps:

• If possible, before you leave the scene of the accident write down what you remember happening, describe the turn of events that led to the accident, get the names and phone numbers of witnesses, exchange insurance information, and take photographs of the accident if you have a camera with you.
• See a doctor right away. If you have been injured you will want to know about it as soon as possible. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner your injuries can be diagnosed and treated. It is also important to see a doctor because the extent of your injuries will affect the value of your claim. The more serious the injuries, the more money you can recover. Another reason why it’s important to see a doctor right away is because the insurance company and the judge are more likely to take your claim seriously if you actually sought medical treatment.
• Report your accident to the insurance company. Failure to immediately report the accident could cause problems if you try to file a claim in the future.
• After you’ve seen a doctor and reported the accident to the insurance company, then contact an attorney. An attorney can advise you of your legal options in regards to filing a personal injury lawsuit, as well as help you recover compensation from your insurance company. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon after the accident as possible so the lawyer has time to collect vital evidence, interview witnesses before they start forgetting details, and consult accident reconstruction experts.
• Do not speak to the other party’s insurance company. An adjuster will likely contact you and ask you to answer a few simple questions. Do not answer these questions. Instead, tell them to call your attorney. Adjusters have clever ways of getting drivers to make statements that could be used against them. It’s best to avoid this risk and have the adjuster talk directly to the attorney.
• Keep a journal or some type of record of your medical treatment, any expenses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident, and any other pertinent information that will help your case.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help after an accident, and provide you with any advice, information or resources you may need. Do not hesitate to speak with a lawyer right away to get the claims process underway.