Important Steps To Take After An Auto Collision 

If you were just part of a car accident, you may still be reeling over what happened. Shock is a common part of car accidents. It can also make you unaware of your actual injuries. To help ensure you receive the protection and justice that you deserve, here are a few important steps that you need to take after a car accident.

1. Call The Police

Immediately following an accident, you need to call the police. If the other person who was part of the accident flees the scene, do your best to see their license plate. If you can’t see it, then try to take a picture of the car or remember what kind of car it was and what color. It’s also beneficial to remember what the driver looked like.

When the police arrive, they’ll ask you questions about the accident. You may want to keep some of the details to yourself until you have legal representation. The police are mostly there to take some statements and then record the accident.

2. Call The Hospital

The next step that you need to take is to call an ambulance. Even if you don’t feel like you’re injured, it’s vital that you go to the hospital. The shock from the accident can often mask any pain that you’re experiencing. Once the adrenaline leaves your body, you may finally realize just how much in pain you are.

You may also be suffering from internal injuries. Whether it’s internal bleeding or another problem, you may not realize the extent of the damage until it’s too late. Brain injuries are also common in car accidents. Even something as mild as a concussion can have lasting effects on your health.

Finally, it’s also possible for injuries to emerge after a few days of the accident. By being checked in the hospital first, your doctor may be able to notice these injuries from the start. Or, if they don’t, you still have the medical record that you sought treatment shortly after the accident. In the courtroom, this is vital in securing your rights.

3. Seek Legal Help

You need a car accident attorney to serve you. Whether it be suing for medical costs, for the cost of your vehicle, or for other reasons, you deserve justice. The best personal injury lawyer will give you further tips on steps that you need to take to help your case. They’ll also make sure that you’re a priority for them.

While you may be suing the person who was responsible for the accident, you are really going to be up against their car insurance company. Insurance companies hate giving out money. They’ll do everything in their power to look for loopholes or other methods of dodging payments. A knowledgeable car accident attorney should understand the games that insurance companies try to play. Since those companies hire top lawyers to represent them, you’ll also want the best personal injury lawyer possible to represent your own interests and go head-to-head with them.

4. Speak To Your Insurance

You’ll also need to call your own insurance company and give them a statement. Your lawyer can help you decide on what your statement should be. You can also expect a call from the other person’s insurance company. They’ll be looking for a way to pin the accident on you.

Your own insurance company isn’t always on your side either. They may have to pay money to you or to the other person. That’s why it’s important to rely on the advice of your lawyer. They’ll tell you what you should say, so you can protect yourself.

5. Obtain Medical Records

After you visit your doctor, you’ll want to have those medical records compiled and ready to be used in court. The records will prove to the court that you received bodily harm due to the accident. It will also show that you followed your doctor’s orders to the letter.

Protect Yourself Today

Car accidents are traumatic events. You deserve to protect yourself with the car accident lawyers possible. Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers for additional information. We want to serve you and ensure you receive the justice you deserve.