If you have ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, you know that it can be a terrifying experience. Even in the cases where no one is severely injured, a car accident can take you by surprise and cause inconvenience, physical pain, and emotional harm. If you have not been in an accident before, your first one can seem overwhelming. It helps to know what to do after an accident, especially if it was not your fault, so that you can be prepared and have everything you need to recover damages.
The Police Report
After an accident, the police will most likely be called to the scene and ask you to fill out a series of documents to verify what happened. You’ll need your license and registration, as well as insurance information. You’ll also be asked to fill out an accident report. You may be experiencing anxiety or shock after a motor vehicle accident, but it is important to stay calm and cooperate fully with the officer. Avoid admitting fault or blaming the other driver(s) in your statement; the police officer will determine objectively, based on the facts and accounts of all involved parties, who was at fault for the collision. The police report is a crucial piece of evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, so it is important to fully document what happened to the best of your ability.
Damaged property
In many cases, a motor vehicle accident may damage personal belongings in the vehicle. For most of us, it is hard to remember exactly which personal items we keep in our cars at any given time. This is the reason that it is crucial to document the damage of any expensive personal belongings. It is far more difficult to obtain compensation for items without documentation. Thus, if you are ever in a motor vehicle accident in which you’ve lost valuable items, you should take photographs of the damages items in the vehicle to prove that the accident was the cause of the damage and that the item(s) cannot be salvaged.
Medical Treatment
Medical documentation is often a deciding factor in personal injury lawsuits. Thus, it is very important to follow the instructions of the EMT at the scene of the accident, or the family doctor you visit afterward. Seek medical treatment right away if you have symptoms related to the accident, and tell your doctor clearly why you are experiencing such symptoms (to the best of your knowledge). A thorough examination is important, because although many victims experience pain or injury after some time, medical documentation of any and all injuries can help prove that you deserve compensation.
Call an Attorney
Although there is a myriad of concerns following an accident, these tips can help you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have been physically or emotionally harmed because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated. The final step in being prepared after an accident is simple: call an experienced attorney as soon as possible. It is important to speak with an attorney before speaking with the insurance company of the other driver(s). Wells & Wells has successfully litigated hundreds of cases. Our two attorneys are both compassionate and successful, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve.