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What To Do After A Car Accident

2. What to do after a Car Accident1Car accidents can be devastating. Even if you aren’t seriously injured, there is still physical and emotional trauma to contend with. There is also the fact that injuries can show up later and they can be debilitating. Nonetheless, there are some important things to do after a car accident. If you are ever in doubt about what to do, it is important to call your car accident attorney immediately so you can be given the guidance that you need.

First Steps Soon after the Accident

When involved in a car accident, what you can and can’t do may be determined by how seriously you are injured. If you aren’t able to remove yourself from your vehicle, the steps to take include taking mental notes of what occurred. If you are able to type on your phone, you can take notes and photos. You want to ensure 911 has been called and that you don’t move until medical personnel arrive.

If you are able to remove yourself from your vehicle, here is what to do after a car accident:

  • Stay at the scene – It is bad to leave the scene of an accident, especially when someone else has been injured. Even if you weren’t at fault, the other party can say anything and leaving makes it look like you were at fault.
  • Check on all involved – You never know when someone is seriously injured and they need someone to be next to them. Don’t move a person who is injured. Wait for medical help to arrive so they can correctly move the injured.
  • Call 911 – By calling 911, all necessary emergency services will be dispatched to the scene so that everyone receives the necessary attention and so the accident scene can be cleaned up. The police will complete an accident report that will be very important to your personal injury claim.
  • Talk to witnesses – Ask the witnesses what they saw and get their names and contact information, if you can. You may even want to ask locals if they have seen other accidents in that same location, as repeated accidents in one location can indicate a road issue or other hazard.
  • Exchange information – Get the information of the other drivers involved in the accident and give them yours. That information includes names, numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, drivers’ license numbers, and insurance information. Be cooperative with all involved, but don’t apologize for anything since anything you say could be used as a way to claim you were admitting legal liability. It may not be evident who was at fault until the authorities arrive or your accident attorney conducts an investigation.
  • Call your insurance company – Your insurance company will need to know that the accident occurred. Let them know what happened and the extent of your injuries. The police report can be very useful in showing the insurance company what happened.
  • Take photos – Taking photos at the scene can be great evidence for showing the end result.

Additional Steps to Take after the Accident

After you have taken the initial steps at the accident scene and soon after leaving it, you want to call your Philadelphia auto accident lawyer as soon as possible to receive advice that is pertinent to your case. There are also some things you want to do on your own, such as keep track of your medical treatment.

If you are offered medical treatment at the scene, take it because this information can be useful when building your injury claim. You want to continue receiving the proper medical treatment and ensure it is well-documented so that the information can be used in your case. Let every medical provider you see know that you need everything to be thoroughly documented for your case.2. What to do after a Car Accident2

You also want to get a property damage valuation so you can determine how much property damage has been done. Your insurance company can provide this valuation. In the meantime, be cautious in regards to discussing the event and don’t accept any settlement offers. Unfortunately, settlement offers are never enough without your attorney advocating for you at the negotiation table.

Let an Experienced Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Help You

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was the fault of someone else, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against them so that you can pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You didn’t ask to be injured, so you shouldn’t have to pay the financial consequences the way you have had to pay the physical and emotional ones. To learn more about what can be done for you, call The Brotherly Law Office at 215-545-8500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

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If you have been injured due to no fault of your own, you may be able to hold the responsible party accountable for the monetary damages resulting from the accident. Fill out the form below to request a free consultation so we can evaluate your case.

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