Car accidents can be traumatic and overwhelming for all involved, but it is important to remain as calm as possible to ensure your safety and the safety of others. This guide will tell you what to do in the aftermath of a car accident, including gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, and dealing with insurance companies.

Call 911 and Get Medical Attention

If you have been in an accident, the very first thing you should do is call 911. If any person involved in the accident has visible injuries or seems to be in pain, it’s important to get medical attention from trained professionals right away. Additionally, calling 911 will activate a police report and can help protect yourself against fraud or legal issues that may arise after the accident.

It is important to note that some of the more serious injuries may not be immediately apparent, so even if it seems like no one is injured, it is best to get an ambulance on the scene in case someone does need medical attention. Additionally, calling 911 will activate a police report, which can often provide evidence for persons involved in the accident. After getting medical attention and documenting the police report, be sure to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. This can help ensure that you are covered for any property damage or medical expenses associated with the accident.

Gather Evidence at the Scene of the Accident

After ensuring that everyone is ok and medical attention as been administered, it’s important to begin gathering evidence at the scene of the accident. Take pictures or videos of any damage to the cars, any skid marks on the pavement, witness testimony, etc. This can all help in determining who is liable for expenses related to the car accident.

When gathering evidence, also be sure to make note of the time and date of the accident, as well as weather conditions. Weather can play a big role in accidents and can help to determine fault. After taking pictures or videos, talk to witnesses who may have seen the accident occur. Ask for their contact info so that you’re able to get in touch with them later if need be. Later on, this information can be used by an attorney to build a case if it becomes necessary.

Exchange Information with All Involved Drivers

After a car accident, it’s important to exchange information with every driver involved. This includes license and insurance information as well as contact details. While you don’t have to provide your own contact information if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, make sure to get theirs in case further follow up is needed at a later date.

After an accident, it’s also important to record the accident date and location as well as the make, model, and license plate number of each car involved. It’s helpful to jot down any visible damage or injuries immediately following a crash. Doing this could help with making your case should you need to file a claim in the future. As soon as possible after the incident, be sure to call the police and have an official report drafted. Police will investigate the scene of the crash and can follow up with all parties involved. Lastly, take photographs if you’re able to before leaving the scene of the accident. These pictures can come in handy later when determining liability in the event of a claim.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information from all drivers involved in the accident, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. This is especially important if there is any damage to your car or a third party’s vehicle. Your insurance representative will go over the coverage arrangements and what to do next. Depending on the amount of damage and whether non-insured parties are involved, you might be required to take further steps, such as filing an accident report with local police or obtaining a statement from witnesses.

During this call, confirm the information of the other drivers in the accident and make sure their insurance is valid. If you notice any discrepancies from what was reported at the scene, then bring this up to your representative so that it can be noted for your claim. Your representative will also provide you with a claim number which you can use to track progress on your case.

Follow Up With Your Doctors and Insurance Companies

After you’ve spoken to the police, your insurance company and exchanged information with other drivers involved in the accident, it is important that you follow up appropriately with both your doctors and your insurance companies. Be sure to inform your insurer of any medical appointments or treatments that you had due to injuries caused by the accident. This will help them determine what kind of compensation is necessary and how much coverage should be provided.

In addition, be sure to keep documentation regarding your medical appointments, treatments or diagnoses. This could include doctor's notes, copies of imaging (such as CT scans, MRI's or X-rays), rehabilitation plans and more. Having this evidence on hand will help you in any claims for compensation you may make with your insurance company. Remember that being clear and timely in following up with your insurance company is essential for making sure you receive the proper coverage and compensation that is due to you.

If you've recently been injured in a car accident and have already completed the above steps, it's time to reach out to our experienced car accident attorney at Beharry Law to help get the maximum compensation from the insurance company .