The aftermath of a car accident is often chaotic, but knowing the right steps to take after the accident can save you a lot of time and money. Many people make the mistake of driving away without collecting the right information. Mistakes like this can prevent people from obtaining fair compensation and may even make some people vulnerable to lawsuits. Other than legal mistakes, there are also safety steps to take that might save your life or prevent further injury.
You may be able to obtain compensation if you can prove the other driver was at fault for the accident. Try talking to a Tennessee car accident lawyer today if your personal injury claim was denied.
What You Should Do First
Become aware of your surroundings and stay out the way of oncoming traffic. Move yourself and anyone else at the scene from the road to avoid the possibility of being hit. Most importantly, call 911 right away and ask for paramedics and police.
Some drivers who find themselves in a minor wreck with no obvious injuries tend to avoid this step, but this is a risky decision. You never know if someone there might have internal injuries or a concussion. Adrenaline has the tendency to hide the pain from injuries to the neck, back, and limbs. Save yourself any future legal trouble by calling for medical assistance.
The police will come and fill out a police report; that is, information about what can be visually seen and witness reports. Most insurance companies will not accept your personal injury claim without a police report.
Decide Whether to Take Legal Action
You may be able to obtain compensation if you can prove the other driver caused the accident. This requires adequate documentation of what happened at the scene of the wreck. Make sure you take pictures, write down your side of what happened, and write down what witnesses saw. Do not leave the area until you have the other driver’s name, phone number, and insurance information.
Insurance companies, especially those that are about to lose money to your claim, will fight hard against giving you fair compensation. This is why it saves time and money to contact a personal injury lawyer early on in the process. They will know the right steps to take when it comes to investigating evidence from the accident and your medical records to build a strong case in your defense.
Be prepared to go to trial if negotiations between the insurance company and your lawyer do not pan out well. At the same time, focus on healing if you are still in recovery and be cautious about posting anything about your case online because insurance companies can see what you post.
