What To Do After A Car Accident

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that your emotions will be running on overload; you may be confused, in shock or pain, distracted, or overwhelmed. If you know what steps to take after a car crash, you can help protect and prepare yourself for a car insurance claim or lawsuit.

A Checklist For What To Do Immediately After a Car Accident

1. Check for injuries and call 911If there are any injuries, call 911. The Police and Paramedics are trained to deliver emergency care. Call for help even for minor accidents. The Police may have to complete an accident report, which you will need to file an insurance claim.
2. Protect any vulnerable individuals (children, pets, seniors, and the disabled)An accident scene can be very chaotic, including fast-moving emergency response vehicles. Turn on your emergency flashers. Make sure any uninjured, vulnerable people are safe and out of harm’s way.
3. Never leave the sceneYou don’t want to risk being charged with a hit-and-run. Before leaving, make sure you’ve exchanged contact and insurance information with the other driver. Also, if the Police are on the scene, don’t leave until you’re instructed to do so.
4. Move vehiclesIf it’s a very minor car accident with no serious injuries, try to move all vehicles to the shoulder or outside the flow of traffic. This can help the Police and first responders reach the accident scene quicker. It can also prevent a bigger traffic jam.
5. Interacting with the other driverGet the names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, and car insurance details (company/policy number) for all drivers involved. If the driver isn’t the owner of the car, make sure to get the car owner’s information. It can be helpful to take a picture of the other driver’s insurance card and contact information and send it to yourself via text or email.You’ll also want to write down the make, model, year, condition and license plate number for any cars involved.
6. Gather evidenceIf there are witnesses, get their names and contact information, just in case your insurance company or attorney needs it to confirm what happened.It’s also a smart idea to take pictures of any visible injuries and of the accident scene before anything is moved. This can include car damage, skid marks, traffic signals, or the surrounding area. You want to capture anything that may help your case. Also, look for and note the location of any surveillance or doorbell cameras.
7. Be careful what you sayAs we mentioned earlier, a car accident can be an incredibly stressful time. Your instinct may be to apologize for the accident. However, it’s best to not admit fault to anyone at the scene; you may think you did something wrong, but facts may come out later that show you weren’t actually at fault. If you make statements at the scene, they may be used against you later.
8. Notify your insuranceIt’s important to notify your car insurance company as soon as possible. Your policy may require you to promptly notify your insurance company of any accident. If you fail to notify your insurance company, it could jeopardize your coverage.
9. Seek medical careInjuries caused by motor vehicle accidents are not always immediately apparent. In fact, many of our clients’ first report feeling pain a day or two after their car accident.Even if there was minor impact, you can still sustain serious and permanent injuries. For example, if you lost consciousness or were dazed after the crash, you may have suffered a concussion or other head injury. It’s important to seek medical care for any symptoms that appear after your car accident.
10. Contact an AZ car accident lawyerOne of the most important things you can do after a car accident is to consult your attorney. Your attorney can protect your rights and make sure valuable evidence is not destroyed.Insurance companies may want to take statements immediately after an accident. It’s critical that you get legal advice before providing such a statement. Never sign anything from the other driver or their insurance company without first consulting with your lawyer.

Contact Us

At Brown & Hobkirk, PLLC we can advise you on all issues about your car accident.

We will make sure you are fully compensated for your vehicle, and you are getting the best medical treatment available for your injuries. Our top-rated personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no legal fee unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Contact us today to set up your free consultation at one of our conveniently located offices.