What To Do After An Auto Accident
If you find yourself as the victim of an auto accident, there are many things that you'll need to do right after the crash happens. Here are some of the things that you are responsible for taking care of.
Gather Evidence
If it is safe to do so, you should pull over immediately at the accident site. You will want to preserve the accident site as much as possible so that you can gather any evidence you can to show what happened. This includes photographs of skid marks, where the vehicle ended up in the road after the accident, and damage caused to both vehicles. These photos can tell the story of what happened if the other driver tries to change the story.
Exchange Information
Talk with the other driver and get their contact and insurance information. This will help ensure that you've identified the right person and you know which insurance provider to contact to make a claim against. This information is crucial if you are injured and need to file an injury lawsuit.
Get Medical Attention
Did you suffer an injury as a result of the accident? You'll want to get medical attention as soon as possible. This is not only important so that you can get the treatment you need, but to have proof for a future personal injury lawsuit. The immediate need for medical attention will show that it is a serious injury, and help prove that the injury was tied to that accident. If you go back to get medical attention weeks later, a common argument is that the injury may have happened elsewhere.
Report The Accident
You should report the accident to the local police department so that the accident can be on record. Ideally, a police officer will come out to the scene of the accident and help make the official police report. This will allow the police officer to take statements from both drivers about what happened so that it can go on record. If you cannot get a police officer to come out to the accident site, then immediately go down to the local police station and make a police report yourself. Someone will be able to assist you with the process of making the report and take your statement there.
Reach out to an auto accident lawyer if you need help with the legal process of seeking compensation for property damage or an injury related to an auto accident.
For more information, contact a company such as Hensley Law Office.