Nobody plans to be injured in a car accident, but more people than you might imagine do get injured in car accidents every day. When the accident you were injured in is someone else’s fault, you can file a claim with that individual’s insurance company to seek compensation. If that doesn’t go as planned, you may also end up suing the other driver. To strengthen your case, you should do the following three things after your accident.
- Call the Authorities at the Scene of the Accident
Immediately after the accident occurs, get on the phone and call the authorities. You’ll want to have a police officer there to make a report of the accident, and you’ll also want the paramedics to arrive so anyone who’s injured can receive help. Give the dispatcher as many details as you can so the authorities will be prepared and arrive as soon as possible.
- Only State the Facts
When you give your account of the accident to the responding police officer, stick with the facts. Don’t give statements such as, “I’m not sure where the other driver came from,” or, “I think I must have dozed off for a second.” These types of statements could come back to haunt you when you’re trying to seek compensation. Facts might include the direction you were driving, where the other driver came from, whether the light was green and other similar information.
You should also never admit fault. Even if you think you are to blame for the accident, there’s a possibility more is at play. Let the investigators do their job to find out who was at fault for the accident.
- Receive Medical Attention and Keep Records
You should receive medical attention beginning with the paramedics at the scene, going to the emergency room and complying with follow up visits as recommended by the doctor. Each time you receive a bill for treatment or other appointments, keep a copy of it so you know the total amount of medical bills when you file the claim. You should also keep records of expenses for medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, emotional therapy and anything else related to your health following injuries sustained in an accident.
Contact a Lawyer for More Information
Being injured in a car accident could be just as stressful as it is painful. If you were injured in an accident, get in touch with a car accident lawyer, like the offices of MartinWren, P.C., for information on what you should do next.