Car accidents can happen to anyone. If you are the unfortunate victim of a collision, learning the best way to take care of yourself is the first step to preparing for the aftermath. This article will cover the basics of the first steps to take after a car accident, including important factors to consider about your health, finances, and injuries.
Establishing Liability for the Collision
If you pay attention to the reported car accident today, you’ll notice that the party at fault for the crash is often not apparent. If you want to collect damages from the other party, you should determine which party is at fault and make them pay whatever damages they were responsible for and the cost of any repairs. A lawyer can help you correctly identify the responsible party.
Steps to Take After a Car Crash
If you have been injured in a car accident, follow these steps after the crash to ensure proper care for your injuries and a fair shot at compensation:
Get to Safety
You want to get out as quickly as possible when you are involved in an accident. If you are in a moving vehicle, drive to the side of the road and stop. If you cannot safely get out of your car, stay inside until help arrives. Once you have exited your vehicle, take a moment to assess the situation and ensure that you are safe.
Call the Police
If you have been in a crash, call the police and the emergency number on your cell phone. Talking to a 911 dispatcher is an official record of the accident and can help strengthen your case if you decide to take legal action.
Get Medical Attention
If you have any injuries, get medical care as soon as possible. Even if you think your injuries are not that serious, they may be causing more damage than you might think. A trip to the hospital can not only help diagnose and treat your injury but also help prevent the long-term effects.
You may be able to care for minor bumps and bruises adequately, but severe injury or significant trauma should always be taken care of by a doctor or trained professional. If there are any severe injuries, concussions, or other head injuries, you should not drive yourself home.
You may be feeling fine, and you may be able to drive, but the effects of a concussion can last for several hours or even days, and your ability to judge the state of your injury is impaired. Let someone else take you home and call a cab to take your car home for you.
Collect Evidence of the Scene
Photo and video evidence is crucial to collect. It is critical to save as much physical evidence as possible from the accident. This will put you in control of your case and can bolster your argument for compensation.
Contact a Lawyer
After you get the proper medical treatment and speak with the police, contact an attorney before the insurance company. An Altoona, PA car accident lawyer can help you win a settlement for your damages by ensuring that you do not miss any of the steps in this process and get compensated for your injuries by providing solid legal representation.
Call Your Insurance Company
After you have spoken to a 911 dispatcher and gotten in touch with your lawyer, you should call your insurance company. They will be able to help you with any questions or concerns that you have and can help direct you to the proper authorities.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your health, finances, and injuries is extremely important after a car accident. Taking these essential first steps will ensure that you can recover as quickly as possible and get compensated for your losses.
An Altoona car crash lawyer can help you navigate this process by talking with the police, monitoring your treatment, and taking the proper steps to win your claim.
About the author: Leland D. Bengtson
As a journalist, Leland dedicated most of his career to law reporting. His greatest satisfaction is to convey legal matters to the public in a language that they can understand. He is active on various platforms and media outlets, writing about common legal issues that people confront with every day. While medical malpractice is his strong suit, Leland covers plenty of other topics, including personal injury cases, family law, and other civil and even criminal legal matters.
