It’s one of the most disorienting events one can experience. First, you hear the sound of metal crushing metal and the tiny whine that comes with it. For a moment, it’s all your mind can hear, at least until the glass windows shatter around you and the airbag deploys. After it’s over, you’re mostly just stunned it took place in a matter of milliseconds, as you could swear the event took hours.
Getting into a car accident is not something we all experience, but many of us have. And whether we were ultimately at fault or not, getting appropriate legal representation is crucial. But even before you seek an attorney, there are some steps you need to take right after the accident to make sure your interests are always looked after.
Triage
The first priority in any accident is to get a sense of the physical harm caused by the crash. If you are seriously injured, ask someone nearby to call 911. Otherwise, do it yourself. Then look around to see if anyone else is hurt. Obviously, some wounds may not become obvious until days or even weeks later, but if anyone is bleeding, they should be tended to immediately.
Censor Yourself When Speaking To The Other Driver
Ask the other driver if they’re hurt, but the conservation between you should be very brief beyond that – just their personal information. The tendency is often to explain yourself or at least be cordial to the other driver, but you may be opening yourself up to liability without even realizing it. Keep talk of the accident restricted to the police, lawyers and any medical professionals that need to know.
Get the Facts
Take a look around while waiting for the police to arrive. Write down anything that may be important. If there were witnesses, talk to them and get their information. This all may be important later. It’s also important to have, in writing, the other driver’s name, address and insurance information. Taking pictures is also a crucial aspect of collecting information
When asking for the insurance information, be sure to get the car’s VIN number, as insurance companies keep that on record as opposed to the license plate.
Have a Car Accident Form On Hand
Every state offers a car accident form, so you can print one from the internet and keep it in your glove compartment. This saves time and also keeps all the information in one place. Car accidents are highly stressful situations, so you want to streamline the process as much as possible so it’s easy to keep track of details.
Hiring a Lawyer
When seeking a personal injury attorney, you don’t want to settle for a firm that doesn’t have a stellar reputation. You’ll want to do the research necessary to find a quality firm that will always have your best interests at heart.
Too many firms will settle for whatever the insurance company throws them, which is rarely enough to cover the cost of medical bills. A firm like JT Legal Group takes the time to examine your case and see that you get what you’re entitled to.
