The first minutes after a car accident, you’re likely to be a little confused and possibly in shock.
You may be so caught up in the chaos of the crash that you forget to take some of the crucial steps in order to pursue a personal injury or car accident claim, not to mention the steps you need to take to keep yourself safe.
To help protect you and your chances of filing a successful case, we’ve pulled together six of the most important steps you can take in the moments following a car accident.
Remembering these tips could help improve both your physical and legal safety, and so can the lawyers at Hagelgans & Veronis.
Steps to Take After an Accident:
Call 911: First and foremost, check yourself and everyone around you for injuries. Call 911 to request a police officer so that a report can be filed. If there are injuries, describe them to the 911 operator and request an ambulance. If one of the vehicles is unsafe or leaking fluids, or if someone is trapped inside a vehicle, let the 911 operator know so he/she can send a fire truck.
Get to a Safe Place: If any of the vehicles or their parts are in the way of traffic, and they can be moved safely, do so as soon as possible. If moving them poses a threat of further damage or risk of injury, wait for emergency personnel to assist.
Get the Details: Speak to everyone involved and get as much information about them as you can. The most important details to get are:
- Names (first and last)
- Addresses (including city, state, and zip code)
- Phone numbers
- Driver’s License Number (a photo of their license would also be good)
- Insurance Information (company name, agent name, policy number, etc.)
Don’t Admit or Claim Anything: It’s reasonable to assume that after an accident, you may not be of sound mind. As the reality of the situation sets in, you’re more likely to say something untruthful out of anger or admit fault because you feel guilty or responsible in some way. Making statements at the accident scene can hurt your chances of winning your case and make the fight even harder.
Look for Witnesses: A good witness can be your saving grace in a case where it is difficult to prove what really happened. If anyone nearby saw the accident, ask them for their contact information and whether or not they’d be willing to give a statement in court if the need arises.
Get in Touch with a Lawyer: The car accident attorneys at Hagelgans & Veronis know how to handle car accident claims. We’ll be there when you file a claim with your insurance company and use the details you’ve gathered to do everything we can to fight for a successful settlement.
We hope you’ve found these tips useful; you never know when you could be in an auto accident. Bookmarking this page or jotting down these tips makes it easy to remember them and even easier to get in touch with Hagelgans & Veronis when you really need it. If you have any questions, or if you were recently involved in an accident, call us right away at (717) 295-7009. We’ll set up a free consultation and provide some much-needed stress relief so that you can start feeling better.
