Car accidents are unexpected and can leave victims feeling overwhelmed because they have to deal with physical injuries while managing the emotional trauma of the incident at issue. In such a predicament, it’s easy to forget the steps necessary to protect one’s right to compensation.
However, knowing what to do immediately after an accident can be critical for accident survivors who need to pursue a claim.
Safety first
Immediately following a car accident, safety should be every accident survivor’s top priority. Even if the injuries sustained in the collision appear to be minor, accident survivors should call for emergency medical help immediately after they make sense of the situation.
If they can, accident survivors should move their vehicles to a safe location to help prevent further accidents as they wait for emergency services. However, if the accident is severe, individuals involved in the collision might want to leave the vehicle in place until the authorities arrive. In such a predicament, it helps to turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers about the accident scene.
Call the police
Regardless of the severity of the accident, accident survivors should contact law enforcement as they wait to get to the hospital. Accident survivors should know that, even in minor accidents, a police report can be critical evidence when pursuing a compensation claim. This is because the police will:
- Document the scene
- Interview witnesses
- Provide an official report detailing what happened
Individuals involved in an accident can request a copy of the police report, as it can be valuable when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting evidence in court.
Gather evidence at the scene
To strengthen a compensation claim, individuals involved in an accident might want to gather as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident. This can include photographic evidence of:
- The vehicles involved in the collision
- The road conditions at the traffic scene
- The skid marks the vehicles made during the collision
- Any visible injuries the accident survivor sustained
Photographic evidence can help illustrate the severity of the accident and can dispute any future claims of fault from the other party.
Accident survivors should know that following the right steps after a car accident is crucial to safeguarding compensation. From ensuring safety and calling the police to seeking medical attention and enlisting reputable legal guidance, each action can play a significant role in strengthening a personal injury case.