Being involved in a car accident can be alarming. It is a stressful situation that can be chaotic and cause a person to panic. However, it is crucial for you to try and remain composed. Staying calm can allow you to focus your attention on handling the scene of the accident and ensuring the best outcome of a difficult situation.
In addition to this, there are a number of things that should be done after an accident happens. This can include:
Call the Police
One of the first things you should do after an accident is to call law enforcement. It is important to have them on the scene as soon as possible, even if the other party involved tells you otherwise. When they are on the scene, they can protect it by directing other traffic around the wreckage. This ensures your safety and the safety of others on the road driving past. In addition to this, law enforcement can draft an official police report, take statements from witnesses, and conduct any necessary chemical tests. This information can be used later on to file a claim with your insurance company.
Do Not Apologize
For many people, it is a knee-jerk reaction to apologize immediately to the other driver involved in an accident. While this can be seen as the right thing to do, it is important to try and avoid offering an apology. This is because it can sometimes be seen as admitting fault for the accident. Instead, the right thing to do is to be polite and call emergency services. This allows you to avoid the discussion of liability.
Photo or Video of the Wreck
As long as the scene of the accident is safe to walk about, you should take pictures and even videos of the wreckage. This is to collect evidence of any broken glass, deployed airbags, skid marks, and bloodstains that happened as a result of the accident. If weather and/or road conditions factored into the accident, it can be helpful to record these as well for a future claim or lawsuit.
Record Important Details
It is important to not leave the scene of the accident before gathering all the necessary information. While law enforcement is present, you should not rely on them to document this for you. It is important to be proactive and record any details that you can to help you with a filing a claim. This can also include the names of witnesses, their phone numbers, and the registration information of all vehicles involved in the accident.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
After an accident occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention. This should be done immediately, even if you are not experiencing any pain and feel fine at the moment. It is possible to have an injury without realizing it or experience injury symptoms at a later time. Receiving immediate medical attention can help spot an injury even if you do not know it exists. While emergency responders are sometimes on the scene for examinations, you should still see a doctor afterward. Seeing a doctor can give you an official diagnosis. This documents where, why, and what time your injuries happened, which can be used in filing a future claim.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
