The aftermath of a car accident: what to do next.
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, you may be wondering what you should do next to protect your rights and figure out how to move forward with your car accident case or personal injury lawsuit.
Here are some general steps that you should take as soon as possible after any type of traffic accident. If you were injured in an auto accident, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney right away to make sure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Establish whether you need legal advice
If you're not sure if you need legal counsel, be aware that some states require you to contact your insurance company or the police within 24 hours.
The officer who arrives at the scene will likely document the accident in their official report. They will either give you a copy of this report or tell you where to find it later.
Contacting your insurance company as soon as possible is also important since they will be able to provide support and help guide you through your situation.
Once an appointment with an attorney has been made, they can then guide you on what steps should be taken in the event that any legal action is required on your behalf.
For example, during the first meeting, your lawyer may instruct you to gather medical records and speak with witnesses about what happened at the time of the crash.
A successful settlement may depend on how quickly you take these steps; anything from minutes to months could make a difference.
Insurance companies often assign their own investigators to investigate claims, so most people don't have the burden of doing it themselves.
But if your state requires an investigation by law enforcement officials, then you'll want to follow up with them as well. It's important to keep in mind that certain things are.
Considered private information, such as how much money you had in your wallet before the accident, or whether you were drinking alcohol.
The sooner that all the evidence is gathered and assessed, the better off everyone involved will be.
The longer it takes for this information to come out into the open, the more room there is for speculation and miscommunication which might lead to even more trouble down the line.
Ultimately, speaking with a lawyer early on can save both time and money- two things which are priceless when dealing with traumatic events like accidents. In order to get a consultation, we recommend calling our office directly.
Your consultation is free and without obligation, so it doesn't hurt to reach out! We understand that accidents can be overwhelming, but knowing the right steps to take immediately following one can go a long way in ensuring that justice is served.
Our attorneys specialize in auto collision cases and would love to walk you through the process and answer any questions that you may have.
Feel free to call us anytime-our consultations are always free and without obligation. We're available Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EST, and Saturday 9am-1pm EST.
If you're unsure if you need legal counsel, be aware that some states require you to contact your insurance company or the police within 24 hours.
The officer who arrives at the scene will likely document the accident in their official report. They will either give you a copy of this report or tell you where to find it later.
Contacting your insurance company as soon as possible is also important since they will be able to provide support and help guide you through your situation.
Once an appointment with an attorney has been made, they can then guide you on what steps should be taken in the event that any legal action is required on your behalf.
For example, during the first meeting, your lawyer may instruct you to gather medical records and speak with witnesses about what happened at the time of the crash.
A successful settlement may depend on how quickly you take these steps; anything from minutes to months could make a difference.
Insurance companies often assign their own investigators to investigate claims, so most people don't have the burden of doing it themselves.
But if your state requires an investigation by law enforcement officials, then you'll want to follow up with them as well. It's important to keep in mind that certain things are.
Considered private information, such as how much money you had in your wallet before the accident, or whether you were drinking alcohol. The sooner that all the evidence is gathered and assessed, the better off everyone involved will be.
Your personal injury lawyer will guide you through this process and work diligently on your behalf to get the compensation that you deserve.
Most people don't know what to do after being in a car accident because it's not something we expect to happen every day.
At Klee Law Firm, we've helped hundreds of clients navigate through their post-accident experience and find answers when they didn't know where else to turn.
Seek medical attention if needed
Getting help from the emergency medical services is vital for everyone's safety in the aftermath of an accident. The emergency team will take stock of the situation and provide immediate care.
Use your phone or ask someone nearby to call 911 (or any appropriate emergency service number in your country) as soon as possible after the incident.
The person on the other end will help you determine if anyone needs medical attention and may also send an ambulance while they wait for you.
Ask whether it's better to move yourself or stay put until medical personnel arrive, and comply with their instructions, especially if they suggest that it would be unsafe for you or anyone else near you to try moving someone who has been injured.
Once you've done all you can to ensure everyone's safety, take photos of the accident scene and anything associated with it. You'll want these photos later when filing a claim against another party.
A car wreck lawyer will be able to advise you on how best to proceed from here depending on circumstances surrounding the collision.
If there are no injuries involved but property damage, talk to your insurance company about compensation for losses incurred by filing a claim for damages (if required).
Insurance companies typically require that claims be filed within a specific time period; otherwise, they won't cover the costs of repairs.
In some cases, waiting too long could jeopardize your ability to file at all because law limits what you're allowed to recover in court once six months have passed.
Finally, remember that even if nothing happened during the accident itself, drivers should always keep track of their surroundings and assess risks carefully while driving to avoid collisions in the future.
For instance, don't use your cell phone while driving unless you're using hands-free technology like Bluetooth.
The consequences of being distracted while behind the wheel can range from minor issues like a blown light bulb to more serious problems like crashes and injury.
Remembering this simple rule could make all the difference in avoiding trouble in the future!
It's not just drivers who need to know how to react after an accident occurs. Passengers should also know where to find help and stay calm until medical personnel arrive or emergency services are contacted.
It may also be important for passengers to document any actions taken by another party so a police report is properly written out later.
This can include which direction people fled from the scene, whether anyone tried taking someone else’s belongings or any other relevant information that might help.
Support another party's culpability when speaking with police officers at or after an incident has occurred.
As such, it's crucial to remain calm and clearheaded throughout the process of dealing with an automobile collision.
Seeking help from a professional car accident attorney in your area, who's licensed to represent victims of vehicle accidents, can help you navigate the complicated legal system and get back on your feet faster.
Take pictures of damage and the scene
If you are in an auto collision, your primary concern should be on notifying the police and exchanging information with the other driver or with his or her insurance company.
After that, if you want to avoid expensive repair bills, take pictures from all angles of the damage. It's best not to move anything around because it could cause more damage and interfere with the ability to assess things later.
Make sure you have contact information for everyone involved before leaving the scene; there is no guarantee that everyone will have cell phones in their hands at all times, so be prepared for potential complications such as being unable to contact someone later.
In some cases, people may need medical attention immediately after an accident, but they may not know where to go. You can help by directing them to the nearest hospital, fire station or emergency room. Sometimes, accidents lead to serious injuries.
When this happens, it is important that you seek medical attention quickly even if you don't feel injured. Even seemingly minor injuries might worsen over time and result in lasting problems like chronic pain.
When this happens, legal advice is important since many injuries involve employers' responsibility for protecting workers from injury under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
If a worker was hurt due to unsafe conditions on the job, he or she may be entitled to compensation including disability benefits through workers' compensation as well as additional damages through negligence lawsuits against negligent employers.
Workers who were not hurt on the job may also be able to recover damages through personal injury claims.
For example, if a driver has suffered significant injuries because of another person's negligence, then the victim would likely file a lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other losses stemming from the crash.
The key question here is whether you caused or contributed to the situation leading up to the collision.
For example, drivers can claim that they were forced into taking evasive action when confronted with tailgating drivers on New York City highways, which led to crashing into nearby vehicles in their lane.
Drivers in smaller towns and cities often report feeling trapped in situations where cars continue driving too closely behind them, cutting off access to lanes, until finally these drivers end up crashing.
At-fault motorists must remember that they may have committed a crime, depending on the circumstances of the incident.
For instance, if someone left a highway and crashed into another vehicle waiting at a stop sign on the side of the road, then the former motorist could be charged with hit-and-run pursuant to Penal Law § 120.25
(2). Likewise, if somebody drove drunk or recklessly during daylight hours, this act could constitute aggravated assault pursuant to Penal Law § 120.10(1) or vehicular manslaughter pursuant to Penal Law § 125.13(1), respectively.
Get contact details of witnesses
It is always important for anyone involved in an accident, no matter how minor the damage, to know how best to handle the situation.
Contacting witnesses who are at the scene will not only provide you with corroborating evidence but also help you complete your paperwork and insurance claim. Witnesses should be given the following information:
- Their name, address and contact number - A description of their role in the incident - The date and time they can be contacted (this will depend on their schedule) - Any other details or observations that may be relevant.
If there were any injuries, it's crucial to get medical attention right away. Once you've done this, take photos of the accident site if possible. Make sure that these images capture the following:
- Scars from the crash site
- Damaged property
- Personal belongings
- Clothing worn by those involved
- Unsafe conditionsconditions
Contact your insurance company if necessary
You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible if you are in an accident. If you have auto-insurance, they will provide legal advice and guide you through the process of filing a claim and rebuilding your vehicle.
You should also contact law enforcement who can take photos of the scene or any other evidence that could be helpful. The sooner you file an incident report, the better because this is how they create police reports.
They often need details about the vehicles involved in an accident, such as license plate numbers and model years, so be sure to keep those on hand. Be sure to get names and contact information for witnesses, too.
If there are injuries (or potential injuries), it's always good to call 9-1-1. Depending on the severity of injury, they may advise you to go to a hospital or clinic right away. You'll want to document everything at the time of injury with witness statements and photos (if possible).
These can help prove what happened in court later on. Once you've gathered all the relevant information, it's time to call your personal injury lawyer.
He or she will meet with you and begin gathering more detailed information, including which medical professionals have been contacted and when they're available for follow up care, who took pictures at the scene, where the damages occurred, etc.
Next thing you know you're looking into getting an estimate from body shops and talking to specialists like appraisers and construction companies about repairs needed for your home/vehicle.
Your life has just changed in an instant and now you're trying to piece together the puzzle.
And sometimes it feels like there isn't enough time to deal with anything else but settling things with the insurance company and hiring an attorney.
But don't forget about yourself! Get some rest, eat well, find support. Those things will help give you energy for your own recovery process, which could last weeks or months before normalcy returns.
It's important to remember not to neglect your mental health. Find ways to stay busy by volunteering, spending time with friends and family, going out for dinner or drinks--whatever gives you joy.
Keep taking care of yourself physically by eating healthy food and exercising regularly--stress can take a toll on the body over time.
When someone experiences something traumatic their reactions will differ depending on age, gender, previous experiences--the list goes on.
Take note of how you feel after an accident (e.g., fatigue) and talk about these feelings with your doctor or therapist if necessary. Again, it's crucial to see your doctor or therapist even if you think you feel fine.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are very real and very serious, and there is no shame in seeking professional help.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, meditate or practice breathing exercises to calm down.
Reach out to friends and family for emotional support and start planning small mini goals like reading an article or book, finishing a project on your desk, putting away the dishes.
Write down these small goals each day on your calendar--once they become habits, then work on making them bigger tasks.
This is an excellent way to break down overwhelming projects into manageable pieces. The best part about these small tasks is that they're concrete, measurable, and achievable.
They take you out of your head and help build confidence in yourself. That's the key to success--knowing you can achieve a goal. Start with a manageable goal and make it into something big by working hard at it.
One small task at a time, one goal at a time. Remember, it doesn't have to be everything all at once--take your time and focus on the process. And don't forget to breathe! Put together a few coping strategies before the worst happens.
Consider bringing along emergency contact information so emergency responders know who to call. Give copies of your insurance information to any other drivers involved in the crash as well as any witnesses who offer to provide their names and phone numbers.
Don't drink alcohol or drive again until you know how your state reacts to post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.
You may need medical treatment or therapy, but everyone heals differently--remember that there is no such thing as normal when it comes to healing from trauma.
When people ask me if I'm doing okay after a traumatic event, I always say I'm doing as well as I can. It takes time to heal from this type of event, and everyone deals with things differently.
What's important is taking care of yourself. If you're struggling with anxiety or depression, talk to your doctor about medication and/or psychotherapy.
Ask for referrals for therapists trained in treating PTSD. If you can't afford psychotherapy, find someone else who has experienced similar events and see if they'll speak with you free of charge.
Reaching out isn't just good for the survivor--it helps the person listening too! Find someone willing to listen and discuss what happened while continuing to go through the steps outlined above.
Asking questions is also a great way to find out more about how PTSD affects different people because not everyone has access to professional counseling.
Avoid accepting blame
It's too bad you got in an accident, I hope the other person is paying for it! If you're like me, that sentence makes your blood boil.
The other person (or rather, the company he or she works for) will most likely be paying for my repairs – because we both have collision coverage. But just because I'm getting my car fixed doesn't mean I want to pay an arm and a leg.
I want someone who is fair and honest when it comes to prices. And who better than an experienced lawyer?
These are people who fight for their clients' rights every day and know how insurance companies work.
As a result, they're usually pretty good at negotiating with them on your behalf so you can get back on the road as soon as possible without having to empty out your bank account.
They also know all about fixing up cars, which is helpful if yours needs body work or major engine repair. You can hire them by either talking to them over the phone or going into their office.
Either way, they'll help make sure everything goes smoothly with regards to filing claims with your insurance company and any additional lawsuits against whoever was at fault in the accident.
Keep in mind that this step only applies if the police were called to the scene.
Hiring a lawyer after the fact might seem intimidating or expensive, but it could save you money in the long run and spare you hours upon hours of paperwork-filing later on. It's also a good idea to take pictures of the accident scene and your car before anything gets touched.
That way, there won't be any question as to what happened during the crash.
A few more things to remember after a car accident include calling your doctor immediately if you feel sick, injured, or experience pain; checking for damages to your personal property inside the vehicle; and letting everyone else involved know.
What's happening with regards to insurance. Finally, keep in mind that many states require drivers to show proof of financial responsibility by purchasing liability insurance within 30 days of registering their vehicle. So don't forget! After a car accident, follow these steps:
1. Avoid accepting blame
2. Call your doctor if necessary
3. Check for damages
4. Let others know what's happening with insurance
5. Make sure you provide proof of financial responsibility
Consider speaking with an expert in personal injury law about your case
If you're ever involved in an auto collision, the effects on your life can be devastating.
There are two things you should know as soon as possible after the incident, no matter whether you were the driver or a passenger. First, it's imperative that you speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case.
They'll know how best to determine if your claim is worth pursuing, and have resources for finding an attorney if necessary.
You'll also want to take photos of all the evidence that's around you- bruises and scratches on yourself or anyone else involved; dents in cars; anything broken on any car; any skid marks on the road surface; relevant street signs nearby- so that all this information can be part of your record too when presenting your case.
The second thing you need to do is visit a doctor as soon as possible. Let them document your injuries.
Remember, your injuries may not always be visible from the outside- don't wait until morning before seeking medical care!
Your doctor will help establish damages that come from other people's negligence, like lost wages or loss of quality of life due to long term pain.
Speak with a personal injury lawyer immediately following the event to ensure that you understand your rights, have collected important evidence, and have been treated by a physician.
For example, the physician may provide verification of pain and suffering, which cannot be observed without a physical examination.
At Stewart & Stewart Attorneys at Law, we believe that everyone deserves legal representation who has suffered because of someone else’s negligence.
Contact us today to find out more about our free consultation services and discuss your particular situation.
We proudly serve clients throughout New York City, including Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island. Call (212) 227-6125 now to schedule your appointment.
