Being involved in a car accident is never a pleasant experience, but it can be even worse if you sustain injuries as a result.
What’s more? It can be very scary to be injured in a car accident and not know what to do. It’s wise to learn how to handle such a situation before it happens so that you’re prepared if the unfathomable occurs.
Read on to learn what you should do if you’re injured in a car accident.
Steps to Take
If you find yourself injured in a car accident, you should take the following steps:
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Assess your injuries. If you are seriously injured, and not in immediate danger, try not to move around too much. Sudden movements may exacerbate your existing injuries and cause you to get hurt even more. However, if you are in a traffic lane, try your best to get out of harm’s way without causing further bodily damage. Additionally, if your vehicle is impeding traffic, move it out of the way, if possible.
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Call the authorities. Give the best description of your location, what happened, and tell them you’re injured. The dispatcher will immediately send the police and an ambulance your way. When the police arrive, be sure to give the most accurate depiction of the accident as possible. If there are certain aspects of the accident you don’t know, tell the officer you don’t know. Don’t attempt to speculate. It’s also a good idea to make sure that others involved in the accident also provide an accurate record to the police. Get a copy of the accident report or ask where to obtain one when it becomes available.
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Document the accident. If you’re physically able to, take lots of photos of the accident scene. Take photos of your car, the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident, all damage incurred, and the license plate(s) of the other vehicle(s) in the accident. Take photos of your injuries. In addition, take photos of the surrounding driving conditions, such as the weather and flow of traffic.
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Exchange information. It’s wise to get the name, address, phone number, insurance information, vehicle registration, and driver’s license from anyone involved in the wreck, including passengers. If witnesses are present, get their information too, as their statements can be very valuable later on.
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Seek medical care. You should see a doctor immediately after your accident, if possible. When your body endures trauma, it’s common not to feel the pain of your injuries right away. When adrenaline pulses through your body, the symptoms of your injuries may not present themselves until after you’ve calmed down. So, even if you don’t believe you need medical attention right away because your injuries aren’t “severe enough,” think again. Let a doctor assess your injuries so they can provide the treatment you need. Additionally, this documentation can be very important to your claim. The sooner you seek medical attention, the better it’ll be for your case.
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Call your attorney. Before you speak with your insurance company, call your attorney. Your attorney may want to speak to the insurance company for you. Insurance company personnel are trained to trick policyholders into making statements that could hurt their claims. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not helping people. They’re going to do all they can to hold you liable for the accident so that they have to pay out as little as possible. Don’t let this happen—let your attorney do the talking.
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Call the insurance company. After speaking with your attorney, make a claim with the insurance company. Your attorney will either guide you through the conversation or do the talking for you. That way, you aren’t tricked into making statements that will ultimately hurt your claim. Be sure to retain the claim number, the name of the adjuster, as well as all other relevant names and phone numbers.
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Retain all the information. Be sure to retain all documentation regarding your accident. Keep it all organized and in one place. This information will be very important for your claim, so keep it in a safe place.
Hire An Experienced Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, our attorneys at Benoit Law Firm are here to help. We are highly experienced in these matters and have helped many other people just like you obtain justice. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm with your case right away. After all, it’s your health on the line.
Call the Charlotte lawyers at Benoit Law Firm today at (877) 600-7212 to speak with an attorney about your personal injury case.