Checklist: Steps to Take After a Car Accident by Sierra Powell

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There are so many car accidents on a daily basis, and they can happen to you anywhere and at any moment, even if you take the necessary precautions. Hopefully, you were not injured, but you will more than likely be overwhelmed, stressed, and very confused about what to do next after the accident. Hopefully, you are never involved in a collision yourself, but if you are, you have to know exactly what you should do so you limit your stress. See the checklist that is found below to take the right steps that you should take after your involvement in a car accident.

1. Call Emergency Personnel

Make sure you call 911 as soon as the car accident is over and as soon as you have received your cellphone and you have found it. Ask for help, and the police will arrive on the scene in order to assess what happened and to ensure that other vehicles do not get involved. Make sure to give the police an accurate description of what happened according to your viewpoint when they arrive as well in order to ensure that your memory is fresh. Make sure that the fire truck and the ambulance arrive in case there are any injuries or any other concerns.

2. Get Medical Care

The second step to take after a car accident is to seek out the necessary help from medical personnel as soon as possible. Your health should be the top priority, as you can be seriously injured if you do not seek care quickly. Even if you do not notice pain or any symptoms at first, there could be hidden symptoms that show up later that you will regret not getting checked out. At least talk to the emergency personnel who are at the scene of the accident to receive some basic medical treatment.

3. Collect Documentation

After you have sought emergency medical care and contacted the authorities, you can gather the important documentation that you need. Be sure to exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver if it is at all possible for you to speak with them. Get the contact information for any witnesses who may have been on the scene as well so that they can provide ample data for the police. Finally, make sure to take photos of the accident and of your vehicle if you are able to and are in the right health to do so to use as evidence.

4. Stay Factual

Even when the police speak to you about your statement about the accident, stay factual. Share what you believe happened, and no matter what happened, do not say that it was your fault. Even when you are speaking with the witnesses and with the other driver, do not apologize to them for the accident as this can appear as if you are taking the fault for it. Even if you believe that the collision was your fault, it may not be after the evidence is taken into account.

5. Contact a Lawyer

You should always talk to a lawyer after a car accident even if you have very minimal injuries. They will help you to determine a settlement with your insurance company so that you receive the most possible damages after the accident. They will also help you if you were injured at the accident to start a claim to receive compensation for the injuries that you faced. Be sure to contact a New York car accident lawyer as soon as you get home or as soon as the next business day to get the money you deserve.

Even if you believe that you are the most careful driver in the world, you can still get into a car accident. Contact emergency personnel as soon as you are able to, and be sure to talk to them about any symptoms that you are experiencing. Be sure you get your facts straight and that you get all the necessary documentation and contact information together for your disposal. Finally, get in contact with a lawyer to gather the settlement and compensation for all injuries and damages that were sustained from the collision that occurred.