You’re driving down the road, minding your own business, when suddenly you hit something. You pull over and inspect the damage to your car: a dented fender, busted taillights, and a cracked windshield. The other driver is visibly upset and begins to yell, accusing you of causing the accident.
At this point, you’re confused and don’t know what to do. This is the reality of thousands of drivers in the US, where there’s at least one car crash every six minutes.
Shouldn’t you just call 911 after a car accident and move on with your life? In some cases, yes. But if you’ve suffered damages because of someone else’s negligence, then you’ll want to take action to protect yourself financially.
If you’ve been in an accident, follow these five steps, and you’ll be well on your way to getting the compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
1. Get Evidence
If you’re lucky, there will be a police report and pictures taken by bystanders to prove what happened. If not, you must take steps to ensure that your side of the story remains intact.
Take pictures of the car damage as soon as possible. It also helps to snapshot injuries, even if they’re not severe.
If you have the names of witnesses, find them and ask them what they saw—then get permission to record their statements.
2. Exchange Information
Ensure you have the other driver’s name, address, and phone number. You’ll need these details to follow up with them if there are any problems later on.
If possible, write down or take a picture of the other driver’s license plate number. With this info, the authorities can always track down the car’s owner.
3. Seek Medical Attention
If you have a personal injury, go to the hospital. Professionals can assess the extent of your bruises and document them for your insurer.
You should still visit a healthcare provider even if you don’t feel pain. It’s not uncommon for car accident injuries to appear days after a collision, so it’s best to be safe.
4. Report the Accident to Your Insurer
In many cases, your insurer will cover medical expenses and other costs related to the collision. However, there are some caveats. If you’re the at-fault driver, they may not be liable to pay for certain damages (or any at all).
If this happens, you can still sue the other driver for compensation if they were partially at fault.
5. Contact an Attorney
You might feel that a court case is too big and expensive. That’s true for some accidents, but each incident is different. The best way to know if it’s time to seek legal counsel is to check out these signs.
Once you’ve determined that legal representation is necessary, you can find an attorney who specializes in auto accidents right here. They can utilize their expertise to assist you in settling your case without going to trial.
Protect Yourself After a Car Accident
Whether you’re injured or not, taking these steps after a car accident is important. Not only will they help you get compensated, but they can also prevent you from being held responsible for the accident.
Even if you take our advice, you’ll probably still be upset about the situation. Read our health articles to learn how to cope with stress and injuries by getting fit again.
