Auto accidents can take a physical and financial toll – our car accident attorneys will help you recover maximum compensation for your accident
7 Important Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be daunting, especially if you or your loved ones were badly injured. Thankfully, lawyers from Osborne & Francis can help you take proactive steps to support your case, so you can focus on healing and getting better.
Here are seven steps you should take after an accident to help ensure your safety and recovery:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Get treatment, even if you don’t think you are injured. Certain injuries like brain injuries might not manifest immediately after an accident.
- File an accident report: Always report car accidents to law enforcement and make sure that you receive a formal report.
- Contact a lawyer: Seeking assistance from a reputable auto accident attorney once you have the report will place you in a better position to receive maximum compensation for accident damages. Negotiating personally with the other driver or insurance company is never a good idea.
- Document everything: If you are able, to the best of your ability, preserve and compile all items relevant to the accident. This includes any medical statements, police reports, and insurance documents. It helps to create a journal of the events before, during, and after an accident. An attorney can assist you with these if you have questions.
- Get in touch with your insurance agent: Insurance claims can take some time to process, and events are often forgotten over time, so it’s best to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to discuss the accident.
- Take photos and videos of the scene: A picture is worth a thousand words. Photos and videos can help preserve images of evidence before it is cleaned up or removed from the area.
- DO NOT admit fault: If you must communicate with other parties, do not admit fault or discuss liability, especially if you are not yet represented by a lawyer. Admissions or statements could be used in court.
Taking these steps will help you protect your legal rights after an accident, and they lay the foundation for preparing a strong case.