If you’ve been in a traffic accident recently, it’s important to know what to do in order to handle the situation properly. There are many things that go into play after an accident, and if you’re not prepared, you could end up making the situation worse. This article will discuss some helpful tips on what to do after a traffic accident.
What to do after a car accident
Seek medical attention
As soon as you get the chance, call an ambulance to make sure you and everyone else is alright. Apart from that, people from North Carolina are advised by their car accident lawyers in Summerville to document all their injuries while their fresh as they can present them as evidence in the injury claim. This practically ensures that you will be compensated for what happened.
Let the paramedics and doctors do their jobs. You might feel like you are fine and that there is no need for medical attention but it is always better to be safe than sorry. After all, they are professionals and they will know what to do.
Keep all medical bills
Since you should not pay for the treatments from your own pocket, keeping all medical bills is crucial. This way you can be reimbursed by the insurance company later on. If you do not have health insurance, then the bills will have to come out of your own pocket.
Keep track of all bills related to the accident including ambulance fees, hospital stays, surgeries, and physical therapy sessions. Even if you think that a bill is not related to the accident, it is still important to keep it in case it is needed later on.
If you are unsure about whether or not a bill should be kept, take a picture of it and save it on your computer or in a cloud storage system. This way you will always have access to it if you need it later on down the road.
Get the police involved
You have a duty to report any car accidents that occur to the police, whether they are your fault or not. This is important for a number of reasons. First, the police can help to ensure that both parties are safe and that no one is injured. Second, the police will document the accident and this documentation can be used later if either party needs to file an insurance claim or take legal action.
Be truthful when speaking to the police about the accident. It is important to give a clear and accurate account of what happened so that the police can create an accurate report.
Once they’re done, ask for a copy of their report for your records in order to have documentation of the accident.
Document the scene of the accident
You should also document the scene of the accident. This includes taking pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as well as any skid marks or debris on the road. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of any traffic signs or traffic signals in the area. This will help to show exactly what happened and who was at fault.
If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their contact information as well. By documenting the scene, you’ll have all the evidence you need to file a successful insurance claim.
Get information from the other party
Make sure to exchange information with the other party, especially if they caused the accident. Get the following things from them:
- driver’s license number
- insurance information
- contact information
- license plate number
- make and model of the car
If the other party doesn’t have insurance or refuses to give you their information, you can still take care of the situation. You can file a report with the police or your insurance company. They will help you sort things out and get the compensation you deserve.
Speak to witnesses
Credible witness testimony can be very helpful in supporting your version of events during an accident. Try to get the names, contact information, and statements from as many people who saw the accident as possible. If the police arrive at the scene, be sure to give them a full statement about what happened.
Make sure that they vouch for the credibility of your story. It would be even better if you could get a statement from an independent third party who can attest to what they saw.
If there are no witnesses or if their accounts do not match up with yours, the court may rule against you. That is why it is so important to get as many as possible and to make sure that their stories align with yours.
Hire a good lawyer
A capable traffic accident or personal injury lawyer will save you time, trouble, and possibly a lot of money. Make sure to hire one as soon as possible after your accident. Many lawyers will give you a free consultation, so you can find out whether or not you have a case without spending any money.
They can handle the process of dealing with the insurance companies and getting you the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Some lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. This is usually a percentage of the settlement, so it’s in their best interest to get you the highest possible settlement.
File a compensation claim
Once you have everything in order, file a compensation claim with your insurance company. If you’re not at fault, your rates shouldn’t go up. If you are at fault, filing a claim may cause your rates to increase, but it’s still the best way to get compensated for damages.
If you have any questions about filing a compensation claim, don’t hesitate to ask your insurance agent. They should be able to help you through the process and make sure that everything is handled correctly.
End note
Car accidents can be scary, but you need to get it together and seek medical help and don’t forget to keep the bills. Call the police out on the scene and document the accident yourself as well. Exchange information with the other party and talk to witnesses so they’d help you out. Make sure to hire a good lawyer and file a compensation claim to make sure you get what’s coming to you!
Featured image: Sam Chen/Pixabay
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