Car accidents can be frightening and confusing. If you are involved in a collision, there are specific steps that you must take to preserve your legal rights and recover damages for your injuries and losses.
Call the Police
You must call the police and have a professional investigate your crash. The other driver might try to persuade you not to have the police come and that you can settle things between yourselves or with their insurance company. This is a bad idea for many reasons.
The police will investigate the accident, speak to witnesses, take pictures of the scene, and record important information needed in a claim dispute or trial. They will also write a police report that can be used as evidence.
Be careful about what you say to the police officer and others at the scene. They can use anything you say against you in court, even if it’s only what you think the accident happened.
Contact an Attorney
The longer you wait to call an attorney, the weaker your legal case may be. Memories fade, witnesses move away, and evidence can disappear or become distorted.
Even if you believe your injuries are minor or nonexistent, see a doctor immediately. Doing so will help document your injuries and provide medical documentation you can use as evidence in your claim.
Insurance companies are often in it for the money. They will try to lower your compensation by claiming that your symptoms were caused by pre-existing conditions or the accident. An experienced Las Vegas, Nevada car accident lawyer can level the playing field and protect your legal rights.
Your attorney can also calculate the total cost of your losses, including emotional pain and suffering. Your lawyer can explain the full scope of recoverable damages for family members who have lost a loved one in a crash.
Take Pictures
Take pictures of the scene from several angles, including the vehicles, skid marks, and other damage. Using a coin or other object in your photos is also a good idea for a sense of scale.
If you can stay at the scene, ask each driver for their name, address, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number. Also, ask if there are any witnesses. Witness statements can be extremely helpful in establishing fault for the accident.
Don’t leave the accident scene unless an officer instructs you. Doing so could jeopardize your case. It’s also essential to see a doctor immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. That way, you have medical documentation of your condition, which your attorney and the insurance company can use to support your injury claim.
See a Doctor
Visiting your doctor is an essential step after any accident. This helps ensure that your injuries are treated properly and creates a medical record that can be used in your case.
Many injuries do not show up until hours or days after the accident, and adrenaline may mask them. It is best to see a doctor, even if you feel fine.
It is also important to avoid posting car accident details on social media. This can damage your case, as insurance companies may use it against you later on. Also, never admit fault or apologize to the other driver. Both can be taken as admissions of guilt and used against you in a lawsuit.
Contact Your Insurance Company
It’s always a good idea to alert your car insurance company that an accident occurred. However, being careful about speaking with your insurance company representatives is essential. Anything you say may be used against you later when determining fault and recovering damages for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other personal losses caused by the wreck.
Be especially wary of representatives from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They may seem friendly and commiserate with your injuries but remember they are looking out for their employer’s best interests, not yours. Almost immediately after a car accident, representatives will start asking you questions, and it is straightforward for your words to be misinterpreted or taken out of context.