Most people like to hope that they will never be involved in a motor vehicle accident, but the reality is that there will be over 17,000 car accidents in the US each day this year. Since most people do not like to entertain the idea of being involved in a car accident, many are not prepared or know the necessary steps to take when they are involved in one. One of the best things you can do in case of an accident is to contact an attorney.
The personal injury attorneys at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, P.C. are experienced at handling all types of automobile accidents. If you have been involved in an auto accident or suffered another type of personal injury, contact them today.
In addition to contacting an attorney, there are several things you should do when you are involved in an auto accident:
Stop and Protect the Scene: Never leave the scene of an accident, even if it is a minor one. You can help prevent further accidents by setting up flares or keeping your flashers on. If the accident occurs at night, you should have a flashlight in your vehicle to keep you safe while you wait inside your vehicle.
Call the Police: Even when there are no serious injuries, it is still a good idea to call the police. A police report may be required to file a claim with your insurance company, even if it is just for damage to your vehicle. If vehicles do not interfere with traffic, they should not be moved.
Make an Accurate Record: When police arrive on the scene, it is important to tell the responding officers exactly what happened to the best of your ability. If you do not know certain facts or things that happened, tell the officers that; do not speculate, misstate facts, or guess. When asked if you are injured and you are unsure, say you are unsure rather than no. Pain and injuries from accidents can appear hours or sometimes days after the accident.
Take Pictures: If there is visible damage to your vehicle and you have a camera or phone with a camera, take pictures of any damage on vehicles. If you have visible injuries, take pictures of those as well.
Report the Accident: Notify your insurance company immediately of an accident. Many policies require immediate notification and full cooperation.
Seek Medical Attention: Injuries caused by auto accidents are sometimes not readily apparent, and many people only begin feeling pain a day or two after the accident. Unless absolutely certain that you were not injured, it is important to seek medical care at the local emergency room, or by seeing your family physician.
Keep a File: Keep all your accident related documents and information together in a file. This should include your claim number, the contact information for the claims adjuster who is handling your claim, names and phone numbers of all contacts, and receipts for all expenses that occur as a result of the accident.
While auto accidents are sudden and unpredictable, it is important to be prepared in the event that you are involved in an accident. Following the proper procedures after an accident is extremely important. Additionally, contacting an attorney can be equally important. Goldstein Hayes & Lina, P.C. are attorneys who are experienced at handling all types of auto accidents. Contact them today.