The actions you take after being involved in a vehicle collision can have a significant impact on your claim. Therefore, when you take the right steps, you can lay the foundations for a strong claim. However, if you fail to act, you may permanently lose key witnesses and even destroy your chances of compensation. These details are vital for creating a case that will go far in court. If you want to protect your health and legal rights after being involved in a vehicle collision, you should take the following actions.
Call the law enforcement officers.
The first thing you should do is call police officers to the crash scene. When the officers arrive, they can make sure all the casualties are safe, call an ambulance if necessary, and write an accident report. In addition, the police officer will also ask for your insurance information and your license and registration. When the officer asks questions about the collision, do not blame anyone or speculate. You should just stick to the facts. The less you say the better your case will stand.
Get immediate medical help.
After a collision, your health should be your main priority. Make sure the emergency services have been contacted. Medical professionals will assess the situation and make sure your injuries aren’t severe. In addition, if you are injured, you should get the medical help you need. There, doctors can provide a medical report that states all your injuries from the crash. This is valuable information that you can present to a lawyer when you reach out to one.
Gather information from the motorists involved.
If you can remain at the crash scene, then you should collect the contact information of the motorists who engaged in the collision, and the contact information of their insurance companies. That way everyone involved in the crash can circle back to who is responsible for what. Insurance companies need to be aware of the situation, as to not claim that any problems with your care were there prior. Having all the evidence to refute these claims will benefit you overall.
Take photos.
You should strive to take pictures at the scene of the collision, because the environment may change when the first responders arrive. You should snap pictures of the vehicles that have been involved in the collision, including their license plates and the damage. In addition, you should take pics of the road surface, the injuries you have sustained and the debris from the crash. Moreover, you should take photos of the traffic signs and the lighting and weather. All of these are crucial information for your car accident claim. It will help you lawyer defend that you are not the guilty individual in the situation.
Collect information from witnesses.
In many vehicle collision cases, the eyewitnesses usually leave the crash scene shortly after the collision has occurred. If those witnesses decide to leave before the law enforcement officers have arrived, then you may lose their important and crucial testimony. To avoid losing such testimonies, you should get the contact information and the names of anyone who witnessed the collision. Witness statements are essential for these types of cases. These people are not emotionally connected to either party, so they won’t need to take any sides. Having their insight can help you win your case.
Call an attorney.
It is particularly important to contact a car accident lawyer at Friedman Levy in New York who can collaborate with experts to determine what caused the vehicle collision and the liable parties that should be held accountable. In addition, the attorney can start building your claim with the information that you provided for them. They can negotiate with insurance adjusters and companies on your behalf. These companies tend to be stingy so having a legal professional on your side can make all the difference. Your attorney will pursue full financial compensation for your injuries and losses, leaving you without anything to stress about.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of a vehicle collision, you should call the police, seek medical attention, take pictures of the crash scene, and collect information from witnesses and the motorists involved in the collision. In addition, you should get a full medical evaluation in hospital and call an attorney to help you pursue compensation. Once you have completed those important steps, you need to reach out to a trusted legal team immediately. You don’t want to miss out on any possible financial opportunities. They will make sure that you are covered, and you get the justice that you deserve.