4 Important Actions To Take After A Car Accident

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A car accident can be both a frightening and frustrating experience. In fact, these kinds of accidents cause more than 37,000 deaths per year in the United States. Because a car accident is so serious, it is important to know what you should do immediately after one happens to you. After the initial impact, you may have experienced a mixture of different emotions, including shock, panic, and worry. However, it is important to focus on staying calm and handling the situation in the best possible way.

1. Stay in Your Locked Vehicle Until Police Arrive

If possible, stay in your vehicle while waiting for the police to arrive to evaluate the situation. Although some people may be considerate of what just happened, others may act out and try to blame you for causing the accident. There are some people who are too confrontational. If someone confronts you and starts screaming, it could ultimately lead to a fight. If you want to avoid the drama, staying in the car is the best option. You can always roll down your window if the person wants to talk to you, but never apologize to them. If you start to apologize, the other person may see that as an admission of guilt, and it could be used against you in the future.

2. Tell the Police Everything You Can Remember

Even though you may be dealing with a bit of shock during the aftermath of the accident, try your best to talk to the police about everything that happened from start to finish. You should tell the police the direction you were heading as well as anything you can remember happening directly before the other car crashed right into you. They may have been speeding, and it is even possible that the other driver went directly through a red light when you had the right of way because the light was green for you at that moment. As soon as the police are present, you may want to get out of the car and start snapping photos using your phone or digital camera. The photos taken may be used as evidence in the future.

3. Take a Trip to the Hospital

Whether you have serious injuries or not, a trip to the hospital should still be on your to-do list. Some people get into accidents and do not realize they have injured a specific area of their body until much later. For example, there are people who suffer from chronic back pain as a result of getting into an accident. It is better to undergo an evaluation and have a few X-rays taken to determine if you have sprained or broken anything. If anyone else was riding with you in the vehicle, they should be treated at the hospital as well because there is a chance they have been injured.

4. Get in Touch With a Car Accident Attorney

You may think the crash was not a big deal, but it becomes a problem when the other driver refuses to accept responsibility despite being in the wrong during this accident. He or she may be trying to accuse you of causing the accident. The whole situation can easily become far too complicated, which is why it is better to have a car accident attorney working to protect you and prove your innocence. Not only will the attorney collect witness statements and evidence that can prove your innocence, but he or she will work on trying to prove that the other driver is the one who is guilty of causing the wreck to occur in the first place.

Car accidents happen on a daily basis in the United States, but some are more serious than others. If you get into an accident, knowing what to do immediately after it happens is extremely important. You should stay in your vehicle until the police get there, make a report with them, go to the hospital for an evaluation, and then contact a car accident attorney at a law firm like Clearfield & Kofsky to help you.

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14 February 2017

Noni and the Accident

My name is Noni. When I was in college, I was hit by a car while crossing the street. My life was never in danger, but I did break a few bones and had a lot of huge medical bills. I was hoping I wouldn't have to get involved with an attorney, but unfortunately, it came down to that. I used a family friend who is an accident attorney to get some compensation. A few years later, I was hit while riding my bike and had to go through the same process. I suppose I'm lucky to be alive. And it's thanks to accident attorneys that I have been able to put my life back together. I started this blog as a way to let others know just how much lawyers can help you in certain situations.