What to Do After a Car Accident – An Attorney’s Guide
After a rear-end collision, a head-on crash or any other type of car accident, an attorney isn’t the first person most people in Rose Park, Utah, think to call. Injuries and emotional shock can make it difficult to focus on practical issues, like building a solid claim for compensation – and the truth is, the actions taken by an injured victim in a car crash can have a significant effect on any subsequent legal proceedings.
As you could be involved in a collision at any time, learning the steps to take to protect your legal rights is important. Read on for an experienced attorney’s advice on what to do after a car accident.
Remain Calm & Check for Injuries
First of all, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If it appears that anyone is hurt – either in your vehicle or another vehicle involved in the car accident – attorneys say to call 911 or have someone else do so. If you’re seriously injured, try not to move. Whatever the circumstances, keep a cool head. Collisions are stressful, but a calm demeanor will help you maintain control of the situation.
Prioritize Safety at the Accident Scene
While at the scene of a Rose Park car crash, your safety and the safety of everyone involved is of the utmost importance. If possible, clear the roadway, pulling your vehicle over to the shoulder or out of the way of oncoming traffic. For a nighttime collision, turn on your hazard lights or set up emergency flares to make your car clearly visible. With serious injuries, however, any movement may not be a good idea.
Report the Accident to the Police
After any serious car crash – particularly one involving injuries and/or property damage exceeding $1,500 – local law enforcement must be notified. Under Utah law, motorists are legally obligated to contact the police, but reporting the incident is actually in your best interests. As any car accident attorney in Rose Park, Utah, would agree, the official police report can be invaluable in the pursuit of compensation.
Exchange Important Information
Once you’ve taken care of the steps listed above, exchange contact and insurance information with the other motorists involved in the car crash. At minimum, you need to get everyone’s name, address, phone number and insurance information. The make, model and license plate number of each vehicle is also important to note, and you’ll want to get contact information for any witnesses to the car wreck.
Document the Car Accident
To help support your personal injury claim, gather information to document the car accident. Attorneys suggest taking photos of the scene from various angles, making sure to get good shots of the damage done to the vehicles involved. Capture pictures of your injuries, too, as well as any significant details — like traffic signs, tire marks, broken glass and road hazards — as these may be important evidence.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
As Utah follows the no-fault car accident liability system, your insurance policy may cover a good deal of your financial losses. With that in mind, letting your insurance provider know about the crash is a must. However, if you’re seriously injured, your damages may exceed $3,000 – and in that case, an experienced car accident attorney can help you seek compensation from the party at fault.
Seek Out Medical Assistance
Did you know that many common injuries don’t fully manifest the day of a car crash? The adrenaline and endorphins the body produces in such an incident can mask certain symptoms, and an injury that at first appears to be minor could turn out to be rather significant. See a doctor as soon as you can after the collision – and if you notice increasing pain in the days following, go to the doctor again.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney
Consulting with an experienced Rose Park car accident attorney may just be one of the most helpful steps you can take when a crash has left you with serious injuries. Personal injury claims can be complicated, and trying to secure a fair amount of compensation for your losses isn’t easy when you’re suffering. Plus, studies have shown that accident victims with legal representation get more money.
What NOT to Do After a Car Accident
Knowing what to do after a car accident is quite important, but you also need to know what actions to avoid. If you’re injured in a collision in Rose Park, Utah, don’t do any of the following:
- Don’t leave the scene, as fleeing could lead to a criminal charge.
- Don’t apologize or make any admissions of guilt about the collision.
- Don’t accuse any of the other motorists involved of causing the crash.
Finally, don’t say much to adjusters from another driver’s insurance company. They’ll likely reach out shortly after the crash, and you’re not required to give a recorded statement or provide anything other than basic facts. If pressed for more information, give the name of your car accident attorney and say they’ll be handling the matter on your behalf.
Were you seriously injured in a car crash? The legal team at Cockayne Law can assist with all aspects of your personal injury claim, and we have the expertise to help you collect the maximum in compensation. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a highly skilled car accident attorney serving Rose Park, Utah, contact our law office today.
