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No one wants to endure a road accident. But even the most vigilant drivers can find themselves in one – and dealing with the aftermath. When your mind is traumatized from the experience, thinking clearly about how to handle your health and safety can be challenging. You’ll need to push through the intensity of the moment to take action.
Keep reading to discover a go-to guide that can help protect your rights immediately following a car accident.
Focus on Your Safety First
Did anyone sustain injuries in the accident? Assess all passengers and reach out to emergency services. Even if someone just seems to have a few scrapes, they may have hidden injuries from the force of the crash that should be checked out by medical professionals.
Additionally, make sure you and all passengers are not in the path of traffic. If possible, leave the car and move to the side of the road and activate your hazard lights. This is especially important at night, when unexpected car wreckage is more difficult to see.
Offer Insurance and Contact Information
After an accident, plan on exchanging contact and insurance details with any other involved parties. Write down names, phone numbers, and license plate numbers. Gather information about insurance policy numbers and companies. And jot down a description of all vehicles that were affected by the accident.
Know that accidents can be fraught experiences, so it’s best to keep your emotions in check. Don’t assign blame or accept blame for the accident until you’ve discussed the situation with the best car accident attorney in Kansas City.
Reach Out to Emergency Services
From small fender benders to bigger accidents, it’s wise to file a report with the police. You’ll need this document later on when you contact your insurance company. And you’ll want to capture as many details about the accident as possible. The police will arrive at the scene after you place a call, and they can evaluate damage and the timeline of events.
Take Pictures
After an accident, take time to document all aspects of the scene, including damaged vehicles. In addition, take pictures that capture road conditions if weather, construction, or other elements may have contributed to the accident. Document signage and traffic signals, and capture images of license plates and obvious injuries on those involved.
Beyond pictures, use your smartphone to write down pertinent details that may not be apparent in photos. Intense rainfall or malfunctioning lights, for instance, could have created unfavorable conditions. In short, gather as much information as possible to recreate a picture of the scene.
Get Medical Care
Sometimes injuries like whiplash or other chronic conditions don’t show up right away after an accident. Don’t assume that you’ll be fine. Instead, go see a medical professional to ensure that you don’t have hidden injuries that could require ongoing care. You’ll also need an official medical record for forthcoming insurance or legal claims.
Contact Insurance
Reach out to your insurance company right away to report the accident and start the claims process. They’ll want the details you’ve collected, such as pictures and medical records. Don’t embellish the information you give them. Instead, be clear and transparent. Also, be aware that you will have a timeline to follow for filing claims. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to compensation. When in doubt, contact insurance sooner rather than later, and talk with a skilled personal injury attorney to understand your rights and get help moving forward with legal claims.
Stay Organized
When you’re navigating the fallout from an accident, you’ll have lots of documents to manage. Designate a folder where you can stash everything from police reports to repair estimates for vehicle damage.
Print out photos and keep them in the folder, as well, so you have hard copies of everything. You’ll have an easier time locating key information when you’re communicating with your insurance company. Additionally, having all your documentation organized can be incredibly helpful when reaching out for legal assistance, ensuring no detail is overlooked. For example, in specialized cases like seeking out company vehicle accident settlement, clear records can strengthen your claim and speed up the process.
Know What to Do After an Accident
Road accidents can stop you in your tracks. But moving swiftly and methodically afterwards is critical so you can take control and get back on your feet. Document everything and check for injuries.
Reach out to your insurance company right away and seek legal help to understand the nuances of your situation. Regardless of the severity of an accident, you’ll want to act with care as you work to gain the support and compensation you deserve.
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