No one gets into their car with the intention of getting into a crash, but anyone who drives is at risk of being involved in a car accident. A car accident can be a shocking occurrence, and although there are small things you can do to prepare for being involved in a crash, you might not know what to do right away. One of the most important things you can do after an accident is to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer who can help you deal with the aftermath so that you can focus on making a full physical recovery.
Know What to Do
Each year, thousands of people are killed in accidents on American roadways, and tens of thousands more are injured. With this in mind, there are a few things you can do to help prepare for the unlikely event of an accident, including preparing a safety kit and keeping important documents such as insurance information organized and in an accessible place. It is also a good idea to know what to do after a car accident.
- Move to safety – This may not be possible in all situations, but if you are able to, move your car out of the flow of traffic. This can be to the shoulder, a parking lot, or any other safe place with no traffic. This way, you are helping prevent an additional accident. If moving your car is not possible, put your hazard lights on so you can alert other drivers to an askew car in the road. Remember to put your car into park and turn off the engine.
- Call 911 – Even if it was not a fatal accident, you will still want to contact emergency services. Check on anyone else involved in the accident if they need immediate medical attention. In addition, having the police on the scene gives you a chance to report the accident while the details are still fresh in your mind. You claim for damages is more likely to be successful if you have a police report as part of your evidence.
- Collect information – Although police will ask for most of this information to file a report, get as much information as you can, even if the police do make it to the scene. This includes insurance information of the other driver, contact information, and eyewitnesses to the accident. Some other important information to consider collecting are the identity of the police officers at the scene and the exact location of the accident. Taking pictures of the scene as well as any injuries that have occurred can also be useful later on in the claims process.
Contact an Appleton Car Accident Attorney
If you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve to be compensated for the negligence of others. An experienced Green Bay personal injury lawyer can help identify and preserve important evidence and provide the guidance you need as seek just compensation under the law. Call Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. at 920-739-7366 to schedule a free consultation today.
Source:
https://www.esurance.com/info/car/how-to-handle-a-car-accident