Being involved in a car accident is daunting. Not only do you suffer emotional stress, but you also can experience pretty severe injuries. Now, you must go through endless phone calls, file paperwork, and speak to a lawyer. The only thing that could worsen the whole situation is if the other driver won’t take responsibility for your harm and the accident or the insurance company refuses to compensate you for the damages to your vehicle. 

If this is the case for you, here’s what you need to do—a checklist for the unexpected. 

Save Any Evidence

When you’re involved in an accident, it’s essential to fill out a police report of the road accident. The documentation can influence the at-fault driver’s decision and accept responsibility. Sometimes, police may lack information that supports your claim and won’t really know who’s at fault. So, first ask the other driver for proof of insurance, as they are legally obligated to share it with you. The information can make you and your lawyer eligible to claim damages. Next, you should talk to witnesses and ask them what their names, addresses, and phone numbers are. This will be helpful for extra evidence later in court. Last, take pictures or videos if you can. The police will take pictures upon their arrival at the scene of the accident, but it’s okay if you take some, too. 

Check Yourself for Injuries

If you haven’t moved your vehicle from the road, it’s time to do it, so you don’t cause even more catastrophes, as other drivers may hit you. Maintain your hazard lights on to alert anyone in the area that an accident has taken place. However, if you are hurt, or if the crash is too severe, just leave the car where it is. Even if you don’t believe you are injured, it’s worth being examined by a doctor. It’s normal to experience emotions, anger, frustrations, and shock after an accident. When adrenaline is at maximum levels, it’s hard to notice signs of injuries. 

It’s important to check yourself and see if you are safe and healthy. If you are seriously injured, you’re most likely to be taken to the hospital to be examined by a medical specialist. Adrenaline can mask pain, which means that you won’t realize that you are injured only after days, weeks, or even months. Here are some things you may want to consider when checking yourself after an accident:

• Make sure you check yourself over for signs of cuts, bleeding, or bruises.
• If you are vomiting, it may be because of a concussion. 
• Take easy steps after stepping out of the vehicle. 
• If you’ve hit your head in the accident, make sure you check if there is any visible injury. 
• Move slowly your arms and shoulders to see if you feel any pain or stiffness.  

Even if you don’t feel too much pain, it’s still recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Not only it’s recommended for your health, but also for when you file an insurance claim. 

Call a Lawyer

Although it may be tempting to negotiate the deal with the insurance company, not addressing a lawyer after the accident may leave you accountable for damages in your responsibility. Why should you call a lawyer instead of the insurance company? Because the insurance company won’t have the best interests; they just want to provide you with the least offer possible. It’s almost impossible to extract money from insurance companies, so it’s better to hire a lawyer from Accident Claims Advice and let them handle the claim. This is why it’s so important to call a lawyer after a car accident. They will help you collect important evidence that could be lost over time. 

After a car accident, most victims are left with serious injuries and high medical bills to handle on their own. The only people that have their minds to help accident victims are lawyers. The moment an accident occurs, the clock starts clicking. So, it means that you should hurry and make a claim before it’s too late. It’s the countdown to the financial paybacks coming to you. Whenever the first medical bill comes in, pretty soon, you will find yourself with financial issues that you won’t know how to handle. Calling an expert lawyer ensures they will build a strong case for you. So, mind the time – the sooner you call, the sooner you will have your case solved. 

What Not to Do After a Car Accident? 

While it’s essential to know everything you need to do right after an accident, it’s also vital to understand what you shouldn’t do. The worst thing you can do after an accident is to not report it. It can be tempting to get back into your car and run away, or just exchange information with the other driver. Regardless of who is at fault, it’s important to report the accident to the police, no matter if you’re not injured. Plus, some car accidents can take weeks to become fully visible. Always report the accident and have a police report. 

Admitting blame? Why should you? While it’s in human nature to apologize for something you did, yet, after an accident, saying sorry it’s kind of admitting you’re the one to blame. Even if you are to blame, why admit fault to the other party? Just remain calm and try to have a lawyer by your side, so that they can advise you on what to do next. 

Don’t accept any settlement – as mentioned, the insurance company will try to convince you to take their small offer or leave it. It’s an approach they often use to make car accident victims believe that it’s far more than what they truly deserve. Don’t sign any paper without first discussing it with a personal injury lawyer. 

If you have been injured in an accident, please don’t wait and get help from an experienced lawyer.