What to Do after a Car Accident

Take the Right Steps

Being in a car accident is frightening, and everyone involved will probably feel shaken and anxious. However, it is important to remain calm and carefully follow a few important steps:

• If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road and shut off the engine. This will help to avoid congestion and being hit by another car, avoiding further injuries. For instances in which moving to the shoulder is not possible, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to the situation. Only exit your vehicle once the safety of the surrounding area has been assessed. 
• Check for injuries to yourself and your passengers. Take photos of your injuries and make notes of your wounds so you can relay accurate information to a physician or other medical professional.
• Call for help, which ensures an ambulance and the police arrive on the scene. You will need to obtain an official report of the incident, which can be provided by the officer that arrives to investigate the wreck. An ambulance can transport victims to an emergency care facility if necessary, and paramedics can provide immediate assistance to everyone involved in the accident.
• Exchange insurance information with other drivers involved. It is critical to ask the other driver the name of their insurance carrier, their agent's name and phone number, and their policy number. You should also get the full name and phone number of the other driver. Take down that same information for all witnesses. The make and model of all cars involved as well as license plate numbers and the location of the accident will come in handy when making a claim, and helps corroborate the information in the police report. It is also a good idea to get the name and badge number of the officer investigating the scene, as the testimony of the officer may be needed for claim purposes.
• Call an attorney.

If anyone representing the other parties involved in the accident reach out to you, tell them that their inquiries will be handled by your attorney.

Following an accident, do not admit fault, apologize, or say that you are not injured. Many injuries surface in the days after an accident, and stating you have no injuries on the scene may preclude you from seeking compensation for your injuries later. It is better to state that you are unsure if you are hurt and allow a medical professional to make that determination.

The legal team at Chanfrau and Chanfrau will fight for full and fair compensation for your losses, including lost wages, reimbursement for medical expenses, the costs of future health care needs and therapy, and your pain and suffering. We offer a free initial consultation and work with you to develop a strategy that can help you rebuild your life after an accident.

We Are Here to Help 

For help with your case, call us at (386) 258-7313, or send us a message online. In the meantime, if anyone representing the other parties involved in the accident reaches out to you, tell them that their inquiries will be handled by your attorney.