Important Steps to Follow After an Auto Accident

Right after an auto accident, you may feel agitated, upset, and confused. Emotions and physical injury can make dealing with the aftermath difficult and overwhelming. Knowing the right steps, some of which are commonly forgotten, can help you feel more confident in appropriately addressing the situation.

Immediately After an Accident

The circumstances surrounding the accident will largely dictate your immediate reaction. Your first and foremost priority is your health. Take a few deep breaths and gauge your injury level. Look at your surroundings and see if any of your passengers have suffered severe injury. If you are able, see if anyone else in the accident has been injured and call for help. Call 911 before calling the police if people on the scene are injured.

If possible, this is the information you should try to get at the scene of the accident:

• Information for the other driver(s). Exchange names, addresses, insurance information, license plate numbers, and license numbers.

• Witness information. Talk to any bystanders and ask their viewpoints. Ask for contact information if they are willing.

• You can never have too many pictures from the scene. Take detailed pictures of all vehicle damage and injuries. Snap wider pictures that include the weather conditions, road layout/conditions, skid marks, and any other information. Include pictures inside your vehicle of damaged personal belongings and their locations, too.

• Names of officers and medical personnel. Accident victims commonly forget to record the names of the responders who arrive on the scene. Make a note about which law enforcement and medical facilities they work with, and ask for the police report number.

As soon as you can, call your insurance provider and tell your representative what you know about the accident. Avoid admitting fault or discussing your injuries and stick to the facts. Later on, you can provide a full statement supported by any accident investigation and medical records.

Avoid talking about fault at the scene of the accident. You should cooperate fully with law enforcement who arrive on scene, but you should be objective and only share the details you clearly understand. You may not have a full understanding of what happened, and anything you say could be misunderstood and used against you in a subsequent claim.

Steps to Take as Soon as You Can

Severe injuries can change the way you approach an accident in the days that follow. Here are some additional considerations you need to remember in the days and weeks following an accident:

• Keep all medical records. Keep gas mileage and receipts, appointment times, doctor names, and all treatment records. You may also want to keep a written record of how your injuries are affecting your daily life.

• Take more pictures. Take more pictures of vehicle damage and injuries as you discover them. Photographic documentation can be very powerful evidence in the event that you have to go to court.

• Pursue property damage valuation with insurance providers. Look over your policy estimates and seek an independent valuation if you are unsatisfied with the quote. If you cannot agree on an amount, you may need contact an attorney for further advice.

• Maintain caution over initial settlement offers. Early settlement can be tricky because you may not know the full extent of your injuries. If you agree to a settlement, you may not receive adequate compensation to cover the extent of your injuries weeks or months down the road.

• Contact an attorney. You may want to contact an attorney if you are unsure about the process in any of these secondary steps. An experienced personal injury attorney can talk with insurance adjusters on your behalf and help you determine the best course of action after your accident.