The steps you take immediately following a car accident might change your life forever. Without the proper medical and legal help, you could find yourself struggling with chronic health issues or dealing with a complicated trial that will determine your family's future.
Ensure That Everyone Is Safe
Before taking any pictures or assessing property damage, you should first make sure that everyone involved is safe. Those who have been injured must receive immediate medical attention. If it is safe to do so, you should also pull your car off to the side of the road and out of traffic.
Collect Contact Information
All drivers are required by law to give their contact information and insurance details to any other drivers who were involved in the accident. Beyond that basic information, however, it is best to speak with the other parties as little as possible. Instead, you should spend some time taking pictures of the damage and writing down what you believe happened.
Contact an Attorney
An attorney should immediately be contacted if the accident has resulted in injuries, deaths, or any serious property damage. Professionals, like Shawn Diederich, know that injury attorneys can help you determine the best road to take. It never takes much for collisions to evolve into expensive and time-consuming legal battles, and having an attorney by your side will give you the best chance of receiving fair compensation. Your representative can also inform you of your legal responsibilities regarding who must be notified of the accident.
Seek Out Medical Attention
Seeking out medical attention and then documenting your treatments could be invaluable to your case. For many drivers, injuries will not be felt for days or even weeks after an accident. This is why it is so important to schedule a comprehensive checkup as close to the accident as possible. What started as a minor medical issue might evolve into a lifelong injury if you are not correctly diagnosed.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Every single policy is slightly different, but most drivers will need to notify their insurance provider of an accident within 48 hours. Beyond the basic details, you should speak to the company's representative as little as possible. Anything you say to these individuals could be used against you at a later time if the accident turns into a civil or criminal case.
Hopefully, this auto accident checklist will help you collect the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on your recovery.
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn't on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009221637700