The moments following a car accident can be overwhelming, but the steps you take afterward can have an impact on your health, safety and ability to pursue compensation. Prioritize your immediate safety, call 911, seek medical attention and document the scene when possible. In the days and weeks that follow, continue your medical care, keep records of accident-related expenses and use caution when communicating with insurance companies. Taking these steps can help protect both your well-being and your legal rights.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident
In the moments immediately following a crash, your first priority should be the safety of yourself and others. If you are able to do so, consider taking the following steps.
1. Call 911
Report the accident and request emergency assistance when necessary. Calling 911 can help ensure that police and medical personnel are sent to the scene.
When speaking with the dispatcher:
- Provide the location of the accident.
- Explain whether anyone appears to be injured.
- Follow any instructions you are given.
- Remain on the line until you are told it is safe to hang up.
A police response can also create an official record of the accident that may become important during an insurance claim or personal injury case.
2. Get to a Safe Location
If possible, move yourself away from immediate dangers such as moving traffic, fire or leaking fluids. Turn on your hazard lights and, if it is safe and appropriate, move your vehicle out of active traffic.
Avoid putting yourself at additional risk while attempting to move a vehicle, place warning devices or check on others.
3. Check for Injuries
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If it is safe to do so, check whether anyone else involved in the accident needs emergency assistance.
Avoid moving someone who appears seriously injured unless remaining in place creates an immediate safety threat. Wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive and provide appropriate care.
4. Follow Instructions From Emergency Responders
Provide accurate information to police officers, paramedics and other emergency personnel. If medical professionals recommend an evaluation or additional treatment, take their concerns seriously.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent following a crash. Adrenaline and shock can sometimes make pain or other symptoms less noticeable in the moments after an accident.
5. Document the Accident Scene
If your injuries and the conditions at the scene allow you to safely do so, begin documenting the accident before leaving.
Take note of:
- The exact location of the crash.
- The approximate time of the accident.
- Weather and road conditions.
- Visible vehicle damage.
- Visible injuries.
- Traffic signs, signals and road markings.
- The presence of witnesses.
Your health and safety should always take priority over collecting evidence. If you are unable to document the scene because of your injuries, do not delay necessary medical treatment.
Document the Accident Thoroughly
Evidence can play an important role in establishing what happened and supporting an insurance or personal injury claim. Conditions at an accident scene can change quickly, so documenting what you can may be valuable later.
Take Photos and Videos
When it is safe, photograph or record:
- Damage to each vehicle involved.
- Vehicle positions.
- License plates.
- Skid marks or debris.
- Road and weather conditions.
- Traffic signs and signals.
- Nearby intersections or landmarks.
- Visible injuries.
Try to capture both close-up images and wider photographs that show the overall accident scene.
Exchange Information With Other Drivers
Collect relevant information from the other drivers involved, including:
- Name and contact information.
- Driver’s license information.
- Insurance company and policy information.
- Vehicle registration information.
- Vehicle make, model and license plate number.
Avoid arguing about fault at the scene. Focus on exchanging information and documenting the facts.
Collect Witness Information
Independent witnesses may provide important information about how the accident occurred. If someone witnessed the crash, ask for their name and contact information.
You can also note where the witness was located when the accident happened and what they reported seeing.
Obtain Police Information
Record the name and badge number of the responding officer when possible and ask how you can obtain a copy of the accident report.
A police report may contain important details about the crash, including information about the drivers, vehicles, witnesses and circumstances surrounding the accident.
Seek Medical Care After a Car Accident
Seeking appropriate medical attention after a car accident is important for both your health and the documentation of your injuries. Certain injuries may not produce obvious symptoms immediately after a collision.
Depending on the circumstances, follow the recommendations of emergency medical personnel and seek additional medical care when appropriate. Be sure to tell your medical providers that your injuries or symptoms began after a motor vehicle accident.
If additional treatment is recommended, follow your provider’s instructions and attend scheduled follow-up appointments.
Keep Records of Your Medical Treatment
Medical records can help document the nature and extent of injuries caused by an accident. Keep copies of relevant records and expenses, including:
- Emergency room or urgent care records.
- Diagnostic test results.
- Treatment plans.
- Prescription information.
- Physical therapy records.
- Medical bills and receipts.
- Transportation expenses related to medical care.
Gaps in medical treatment can sometimes create questions about the severity or cause of an injury. Following your provider’s treatment recommendations can support your recovery while creating a clearer record of your medical care.
Track How Your Injuries Affect Your Daily Life
Not every consequence of a car accident appears on a medical bill. Injuries can affect your ability to work, participate in activities or complete everyday responsibilities.
Consider keeping a record of how your injuries affect you, including:
- Pain and other symptoms.
- Physical limitations.
- Activities you can no longer perform or find difficult.
- Missed days of work.
- Changes in your ability to perform your job.
- Assistance you need with everyday tasks.
- Accident-related expenses.
Keep receipts, invoices, pay records and other documents associated with financial losses resulting from the accident.
Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
After an accident, you may be contacted by your own insurance company or an insurer representing another driver. Although insurance adjusters may request information about the crash, be careful about what you provide before you fully understand your injuries and legal rights.
When communicating with an insurance company:
- Provide accurate basic information about the accident.
- Avoid guessing or speculating about details you do not know.
- Do not make assumptions about who was at fault.
- Be cautious about providing a recorded statement.
- Carefully review documents before signing them.
- Keep copies of insurance correspondence and claim information.
You should also be cautious about accepting an early settlement before the full extent of your injuries and losses is known. Some injuries require ongoing treatment, and resolving a claim too early may affect your ability to seek additional compensation later.
Understand the Potential Damages After a Car Accident
If another person’s negligence caused your accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for losses resulting from the crash. The damages available will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the applicable law.
A car accident claim may include compensation for losses such as:
Medical Expenses
Medical damages may include emergency treatment, hospital care, doctor visits, rehabilitation, medications and other necessary treatment. In cases involving serious injuries, future medical care may also be considered.
Property Damage
A claim may involve the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle as well as other personal property damaged in the accident.
Lost Income
If your injuries prevent you from working, lost wages may be part of your claim. Serious or permanent injuries may also affect your future ability to earn income.
Pain and Suffering
Dependin
g on the circumstances and applicable law, compensation may also be available for the physical pain, emotional distress and other effects an injury has on your quality of life.
Every car accident is different. The severity of the injuries, available evidence, insurance coverage, applicable state law and other factors can affect the value and outcome of a claim.
When Should You Contact a Car Accident Attorney?
Some accident claims are relatively straightforward, while others can quickly become complicated. Speaking with an attorney may be particularly important when an accident involves serious injuries, disputed liability, multiple vehicles, a commercial vehicle or an uninsured or underinsured driver.
An experienced personal injury attorney can investigate the accident, preserve evidence, communicate with insurance companies and help determine what compensation may be available under the law.
Contact Hupy and Abraham After a Car Accident
For more than 50 years, Hupy and Abraham has represented injured clients and their families. Our attorneys understand how a serious car accident can affect your health, finances, work and everyday life, and we are prepared to help you understand your legal options.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Hupy and Abraham today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our team can review the circumstances of your accident, answer your questions and help determine the next steps for your claim. You don’t pay unless we win your case.
