After a car accident, you will most likely be in shock. Even hours and days later, you might feel lost. It helps to know what to do because if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, your actions right after an accident do matter.
Do Not Leave the Scene
Even if you think that the injuries are mild or that your car is in decent shape, do not leave the accident scene. If you can, remain on the scene and discuss the accident with the police. A police report is a crucial piece of evidence in personal injury lawsuits. Also, if you can, you can take pictures of the scene and speak with witnesses. This is a part of evidence gathering.
Do See a Doctor
If you are injured, do not hesitate to see a doctor. To be on the safe side, you should call the paramedics to any serious accident scene. While you may want to gather evidence of the accident, you may be able to pass the responsibility off to another passenger or a trusted person. If you need to go to the hospital straight from the scene, you have to prioritize your health.
If you can walk away from the accident, you should still see a doctor. You may have injuries that do not show up right away. When you are in an accident, you may experience a lot of adrenaline. It can be easy to ignore any injuries that you have. Other injuries may manifest later. You should see a doctor following an accident and whenever symptoms present.
Do Not Speculate with an Insurance Company
Be careful about what you say to the insurance adjuster when he or she calls. The insurance adjuster may try to make small talk with you. Avoid small talk and avoid discussing your opinion of the crash. Stick to the facts of the case as you know them. Remember that it is in the insurance company’s best interests to pin some of the faults on you. They may try to make you more comfortable with the conversation and in doing so it can open you up to talk about the accident.
If you were in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, there is a high chance that you could be awarded compensation for your injuries. If you have questions about a car accident case, contact a car accident lawyer, like from Barry P. Goldberg, for a consultation.
