Steps You Should Follow After A Car Accident Per Attorney Guidelines

Out of the millions of car accidents that occur in a given year, many consist primarily of mere property damages with the autos instead of injuries sustained by individuals. 

Statistics suggest that one accident out of every three will involve either the driver or other people in the vehicle and that two accidents from every ten will include a fatality.

When you find yourself involved in an accident, there are specific steps you should follow to ensure safety and security. Generally, after being in a collision, there’s a sense of shock, disallowing pain, or injuries to make themself present immediately. 

That doesn’t mean that you’re not hurt, so it’s crucial to be ginger with yourself until you can get medical attention.

These should be among the first calls, one for an ambulance and another to the police so you can be checked for possible injuries and so you can give accurate, concise details of what happened. 

If there are any witnesses at the scene, they should also provide information from what they saw, along with their names and contact information. 

If, at some point, you find yourself in need of a car accident attorney, this type of documentation will come in handy. Let’s look at some other steps that will be necessary while you’re at the scene.

Tips You Should Follow After A Car Accident Per Attorney Guidelines

When you have a car accident involving another vehicle, there are two sides to the story, and it’s sort of your word against theirs unless there are witnesses to the account. It comes down to proving the details as they happened, which can prove challenging unless you follow particular steps to ensure the security of the scene.

The vital first step is contacting the ambulance and the police so you can be assessed for injuries that might not be apparent immediately if you’re experiencing a shock. 

The police will take each statement, so it’s essential to remember every bit of information as clearly and authentically as possible so it’s documented in the police report. The course of action specifically should be as follows:

• Don’t leave

Regardless of how minor an accident is and how much another driver tries to convince you that the police are unnecessary, do not leave the scene. Stop where you are, get back in the vehicle and make the calls to the paramedics and the police. 

There could be injuries even from a minor fender bender, whether you know it or not. If the other driver chooses to drive away, ensure that you get the plate number for the police report.

• Secure the scene

You want to avoid other people becoming involved in the scene, especially if you’re in a blind spot or on a bend in the road. If you have flares, set these up or turn on flashing lights so people can see these when they’re coming. Stay inside the vehicle where you’re safe, waiting for help to arrive.

You can wait alongside the road; if it’s a busy road, it’s wise to remain inside or on the opposite side of the vehicle to avoid getting hit. If it’s dark outside, have a flashlight turned on so people recognize that you’re outside the car.

• Police documentation

If witnesses stick around with you, make sure that they’re willing to give the police their name and contact information. The police report needs to be as thorough as possible. When filing the insurance claim, it could be a requirement, even for merely claiming vehicle damages. 

It will also be necessary if reaching out to a car accident attorney. Attorneys need as much documentation as possible for settling cases. 

The police expect the vehicles to remain in the same spot when they collide for investigation purposes. Once they have an idea of fault, they can move from hindering traffic.

• Details of the incident

If you aren’t sure of a detail, make that clear, don’t attempt to misstate or speculate or even guess what you believe might have happened. It’s better to let the police know that you don’t remember specific facts and only clarify what you can recall from the incident. 

When it comes to injuries, it’s okay to say you’re unsure until checked by the ambulance, again, because sometimes it can take a few hours until pain and soreness settle in.

• Document the scene

Either with date/time stamped video or take pictures of your vehicle and the scene. If you do have visible signs of injury, you should also take photos of those or ask someone to do so for you. 

While the police are investigating, the scene is not the ideal time to interfere. You might need to wait, but it needs to be as soon as possible after the accident occurs.

• Gathering information

Usually, the officer on the scene will collect the information. Still, if they don’t respond, you will need to gather details from the people involved in the collision, anyone in the other vehicle, including names and contact information along with insurance details with card confirmation.

Witnesses should provide their names and contact information if the attorney needs to reach them for future settlement proceedings. Officers who do respond to the scene will give the police report number to the drivers, for which they can get a copy of the police report. Any state highway accidents need to be requested from that department.

• Consult an attorney

One of the primary considerations is to protect your right in consulting with a car accident attorney. The professional will maintain the integrity of the evidence. Insurance carriers expect to receive an immediate response from the clients, as does the other driver’s insurance carrier; you should obtain legal advice prior to giving any statements. Go here for tips to help the professional get the best results for you.

The attorney will offer guidance on varied issues that arise, including ensuring that you receive optimum compensation for the auto and ideal medical care. This type of profession is a contingency attorney who receives a fee based on receiving payment for your injuries.

Final Thought

While waiting on the police and ambulance in your vehicle, another critical call might be to a car accident attorney who will maintain the integrity of the evidence and ensure you receive only the optimum medical treatment. 

Professional help is beneficial in these situations, which can become tricky when trying to go it alone. Plus, the lawyer only receives a fee if you are compensated for injuries, so it’s wise to take advantage of the help. Find out if it’s worth getting a car accident lawyer at https://www.statesman.com/story/sponsor-story/thomas-henry/2021/09/28/worth-getting-lawyer-car-accident/5841021001/.