7 Ways To Protect Yourself After A Car Accident
Experiencing a car accident can be a very traumatic experience. Everything goes by so fast that you might not know what to do next.
However, by being aware of the following procedures, you can ensure you’re protected no matter what happens next. You’ll also be able to put your best interests forward and protect yourself against serious complications with the law.
Here are some ways you can protect yourself after a car accident:
Leave The Road
If you are in shock and wondering what to do after a car accident in California, consider moving your car off the road. However, if you cannot transfer your car off the road, use your hazard lights or safety triangles to detour traffic away from the accident. This is especially important if the accident took place on the freeway or on a very busy road.
However, make sure you do this once you’ve assessed yourself for injuries. Also, check for the safety of the driver and passengers of the other vehicle, if you hit another car.
Check Yourself For Any Injuries
If you can move, make sure you don’t have any serious injuries, and if you’re driving with passengers, check on them as well. Remember to call emergency services immediately, even if everyone seems unharmed and not presenting any physical trauma. This is to ensure no one is suffering from any internal injuries or long-term trauma to any organs.
Once you’re done checking on everyone in your car, be sure to check on the occupants of any other vehicles involved.
Make Sure You Document Any Evidence
It’s important to take as many clear pictures as possible of the accident. Take photos of the cars involved, the position of the vehicles on the road, and the number of people involved in the accident.
Information like this is very important for insurance companies and lawyers. You can also record some videos to document information, such as the weather conditions and exchange insurance information with the driver of the other car.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Make sure you call your insurance company and inform them about the accident. This is very important for insurance companies so that they can start paperwork regarding the recovery of any physical or financial damage you may have suffered.
This is also where the photographs and data collected will come in handy, so that you’re not cheated out of any payouts for which you’re liable.
Call For Legal Counsel
Some insurance companies can go out of their way to pay out less to their clients. Finding the best legal counsel means prioritizing your best interests, and you’ll get the best payout for your troubles. You can visit this website to understand how the attorneys use their legal expertise to protect your rights and get you the deserving compensation. The lawyer will go over all the information and assess the faults and damage.
On the other hand, don’t sign anything without your legal counsel’s advice. You have the right to a lawyer, so no one can force you to say or sign anything without one present. Don’t sign any statements about faults and confessions. Just wait until your lawyer arrives.
If the ambulance arrives before your lawyer, make sure to inform them of which hospital you’re at. If you have a health care proxy, you can ask them to call your lawyer for you.
Log Everything
Write down everything important regarding the case, with times and dates. This should include any follow-up conversations you have, such as doctor’s visits. This will be very beneficial, especially if any legal action occurs after the ordeal. You’ll have all the information organized and ready for perusal.
Call The Police
Ensure authorities are notified about the accident, even if you think it’s just a small fender bender accident. You’ll benefit from everything getting logged into an official police accident report.
It may take a while for the police to get to the scene of the accident. Notify the ambulance if they arrive before the police. They may be able to start taking care of your injuries while you wait for the police to arrive and take your statement.
Conclusion
Once an accident occurs, it may be difficult to remember what to do at that moment to protect yourself. Following this checklist will allow you to start keeping your interests safe and prepare for any legal problems that may arise.
The impact of a car crash can have some effects on you, whether it’s physical injury or mental instability. If this occurs, you’re entitled to a payout from your insurance company. Make sure you’re armed with a good lawyer in your best interests.
