An auto accident can happen at any time to anyone. There are approximately six million auto accidents across the country per year, which is why you should be prepared to appropriately handle this type of situation and know what to do and what to avoid to have the best outcome.
At the scene
If you’re in an accident, the main thing to remember is to stay calm and get clear of the accident and to a safe place away from traffic. If that’s not possible, try to call emergency services or have someone do it for you. If you have any pets, children, or elderly people with you, try to keep them calm and wait for emergency services to arrive to provide medical assessments and attention.
Minor fender benders with no visible injuries may allow you to get them out of harm’s way if you’re stalling in the road or danger from other traffic. Just remember to keep children in car seats and avoid moving elderly individuals if possible because you won’t know the extent of their injuries right away. They should immediately get assessed by emergency workers or a doctor with the proper equipment.
What to do
After a car accident, you should immediately go to the emergency room or a doctor’s office for an examination. Many people wrongly assume they aren’t injured because of the adrenaline caused by an accident. It can disguise any injury, and you may be seriously injured and not know it.
What not to do
While at the accident scene, avoid talking to the other driver about the collision and never admit fault. It’s best to make small talk but wait for the police to arrive to make a report. If the driver is hostile, try to avoid them and wait for the police to handle the situation. Provide basic details and answer questions police ask but never make speculations about who was at fault in the accident or provide more information than they ask you to provide.
The same goes for anyone involved in the accident. Once you can leave the scene, you should call your attorney either by yourself or with an emergency medical service. Explain your situation, and they can begin the process of advising you and guide you through the process to ensure you don’t make mistakes and don’t overlook anything important.
After the accident
Once you take care of everything immediately following the accident, you still need to be vigilant. If you’re injured, you need to make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions and don’t participate in any banned activities or try to do anything that can cause further injury. Be sure you give all your doctor’s information related to your case to your attorney so they can follow up and document everything necessary for you to have the best outcome.
What to do
Always communicate any critical information with your attorney and don’t disclose details of the accident. Anyone can be called to court to testify, so the less you say, the better the odds for your case. Don’t forget to also follow your doctor’s advice and keep all communications and records while also following your attorney’s instructions.
What not to do
If the insurance company contacts you or the insurance adjuster tries to make contact, don’t answer any questions or volunteer details of the accident. They aren’t your friends, and doing so will potentially harm your case. Many adjusters can be very personable, so keep this point in mind to avoid problems. Contact your attorney as soon as they reach out to you, and they will advise you on what the course of action will be to resolve their questions.
If you or someone you love has been in an auto accident, reach out to the best personal injury attorney San Diego-based, Guy Levy. He can provide you with the assistance you need to get the compensation you deserve.
