There is no reason why you should have any knowledge as to what to do after being in an accident, particularly if you have never been involved in one. However, it is always a good idea to be prepared with the right information, should the unexpected occur. After all, you may sustain severe injuries and may need the services of a car accident injury lawyer and the steps you take at this time may make all the difference in how much compensation you can receive. Having said this, read on to understand how to proceed after being in a car accident.

Understand the Situation

During a car accident, your car may flip over, turn around, or become undriveable. If you can look around you to ascertain the situation, do so. Check yourself out for any obvious injuries and do the same for your passengers. If you are in the middle of the road, get yourself to safety to avoid being hit again. If there are injuries in your car or the other one, call 911 and request an ambulance. If you are injured, get to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Call the Police

You need to remain at the scene of the accident, no matter how minor it may appear to be. Leaving the scene may get you in legal trouble. Once the police get there, they will conduct an evaluation of the accident and prepare a report. They may ask you questions which you should always answer politely. However, refrain from speculating or talking too much. You may end up incriminating yourself. Once the report is ready, request a copy for your attorney and your insurance company.

Exchange Information

Get the other driver’s contact details as well as their driver’s license and insurance information. Write down their car’s make, model, year, and license plate number.

Document the Scene

This will be your best opportunity to gather evidence to back up your claim. Take pictures of yourself and your injuries as well as of the cars, showing their damage and their position on the road. Take pictures of anything you feel played a role in the accident such as wet roads due to a recent rainstorm, debris on the road, poor road conditions, or overhanging vegetation. As soon as you get home, write down everything you can remember about the accident including the date, time, location, and anything important that you may not wish to forget.

Contact Your Insurance Company

It is essential to let your insurance company know about the accident as soon as you can. They may ask for a copy of the police report and may also want you to accept an offer that may end up being too low to cover your medical expenses and the wages you may not receive if you are unable to return to work while you take care of your injuries. Talk to your attorney before being pressured to accept a lowball amount and never sign a document saying that you are satisfied with the settlement and will not pursue it further until you bounce this information off your attorney.

Get a Medical Checkup

As soon as you can, and if your injuries did not land you in the emergency room, get a full medical checkup. This is important because you may have internal injuries which may not have given you any symptoms but which might need to be treated right away. It is also important because it will be difficult to prove to the insurance company that you were injured in the accident if you took weeks before being seen by a medical professional. Make sure that your medical records clearly show the relationship between your injuries and the accident. Follow all doctor’s instructions, take all prescribed medications, and attend all appointments for treatments, therapies, and more. Keep a file and a journal of your injuries, their treatments, and their improvements.

Hire Legal Representation

You may discover that dealing with the insurance company is not easy and that they are looking for all sorts of excuses to minimize or deny your claim. You may also discover that they do not have your best interests at heart. What’s more, they will have an army of attorneys at their disposal while you try to fight for your rights on your own. Even out the odds by working with a legal professional who will have the skills to fight for your rights.