5 Critical Steps to Take After a Personal Injury Accident

5 Critical Steps to Take After a Personal Injury Accident

Immediately after the accident, collect information about everyone involved in the wreck. This includes their name, address, phone number, and auto insurance information.

Identify eyewitnesses and ask them what they saw. Be sure to get their name, address, and phone number so your attorney at Raphaelson & Levine can contact them later.

Gather Information

The correct information is critical to your ability to file a successful personal injury claim. You’ll need to document your expenses, medical bills, and the impact your injuries have had on your life.

Write down the names, badge numbers, and incident or police report numbers of any police officers who respond to the scene. Ask if you can have a copy of the police report once it is filed.

Exchange insurance and contact information with all drivers involved in the accident. Be careful not to make any comments that could be used against you later.

Report the Accident

Depending on your state, you may be required to report any accident that results in more than $1,000 worth of property damage. Also, reporting a wreck may help ensure that the information is accurate and that you get fairly compensated for your damages.

Take down the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information of anyone at the scene. This includes witnesses and drivers involved in the crash. Doing this while the details are fresh in everyone’s memory is a good idea.

However, you should never say anything that can be interpreted as admitting fault or speculating about who is at fault for the accident. Instead, speak with Charles Naylor attorney. They will be able to handle your statement and prevent it from jeopardizing the value of your claim.

Personal Injury Accident

See a Doctor

Many people make the mistake of visiting their primary care doctor right after an accident. Although your PCP is a great physician, they are not trained in documenting injury patients’ medical histories with the detail needed for an insurance or personal injury claim.

Insurance companies rely on medical records to determine the value of your injury claim and how severe or not your injuries are. If you have a history of prior injury or conditions that your doctor did not include in your records, insurance companies may accuse you of lying and use that against you throughout the case.

If you save your over-the-counter pill bottles, that can be substantial evidence of your pain, suffering, and medical treatment expenses.

Take Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially regarding the details of an accident scene. You should take as many photos as possible at the accident site unless you are too injured.

Taking pictures is the best way to preserve evidence before it disappears. If you are able, make sure to get images from different angles and distances. Also, experiment with lighting to capture photos that are clear and free of distortion.

Photos can help paint a complete picture of why an accident occurred, including weather and road conditions. It is essential to have this information for later use in proving liability. Also, getting photos of any injuries is essential because sometimes, bruises do not show up until a few days after the accident.

Contact an Attorney

Insurance companies will often approach injured individuals shortly after an accident and ask them to provide a statement about the accident. You must speak with these representatives once you have consulted with an attorney. Anything you say to these representatives may be used later by them to undermine your claim for damages.

It is also essential to take photos and videos of the crash site, point of impact, and property damage. This evidence can be used to accurately depict what happened during the accident and prove your injuries.

If you observe any witnesses to the crash, get their contact information. Witness testimony is essential in proving your claim and can be lost if they leave the scene before law enforcement arrives.