Safe Steps To Take After You’ve Been Injured In A Car Wreck
When you are involved in a car crash, you are entitled to get compensation. However, the process of dealing with a collision starts at the scene where it occurred. There are different things that you must do to ensure safety. Read on to learn the steps that you should take when you have been injured in a car accident.
Remain Calm
You must remain calm to be able to deal with a car crash and its aftermath. Check for injuries and move everyone to safety. If someone is injured, you can try to apply first-aid, but if it is serious, do not move the victims. Instead, call an ambulance and wait for help to avoid aggravating the injuries.
Pull Your Vehicle Out of the Way
If possible, you should clear the roadway so that your vehicle does not obstruct the smooth movement of traffic. You must turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights to warn other motorists of impending danger on the road. If you cannot move the damaged car, get to a safe spot together with other passengers. Mark the position of the automobile on the road and wait for accident recovery service.
Report the Accident
You must report the accident to the police who will attend the crash site to conduct investigations. Cooperating with the law enforcement agents is vital, but you must not accept responsibility. The police will write an accident report, and this is a critical document in any insurance claim. If you do not have a copy of a police report, no insurance company can entertain your claim.
Seek Medication
You must seek medical treatment after the accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, but you need to visit a doctor for proper medical assessment. Your doctor will write a medical report that is used to determine your compensation claim. Without a medical report, then getting the settlement that you deserve might be difficult.
Call Your Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a professional injury lawyer to handle your case or seek legal advice on how to pursue your insurance claim process is essential in this situation. You may already have a reliable lawyer, however, the professional accident attorneys at www.bayoucitylaw.com explain that reputable lawyers have experience in dealing with similar issues. While it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer, having legal representation is better so that you will have peace of mind that a professional is dealing with your case. You will be assured that these professionals know how to negotiate with insurance companies, and you get the time to recover from your injuries.
Document Everything
If you are not seriously injured, you can assess the level of damage to the vehicles. You must take pictures showing the damages and the position of the cars when the accident occurred. You can also draw a diagram showing how the crash happened when the details are still fresh in your mind. Another helpful step is to exchange information with the other driver involved in the crash. Get their details including license number, insurance company, phone number, and address.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After the car crash, you will need to contact your insurance company. Informing them that you were in an accident is important since the other driver might not be insured. However, you must never accept fault or responsibility in the wreck and avoid talking to adjusters from the other party’s insurance company. If you want to be safe, maintain your statement and avoid falsifying information, as this can jeopardize your claim if the adjusters discover that you lied.
File an Insurance Claim
Lastly, you should decide whether you want to file a compensation claim or not. If you are interested in getting a settlement for your injuries and property damage, you must send a letter of demand to the party responsible for the crash or their insurance company. You should clearly state why you are demanding compensation and the financial value of damages that you want. Many people opt to negotiate claims for damages out of court to avoid the costly route of a lawsuit.
A car crash can be catastrophic, and the process of dealing with the situation can be challenging. If you are involved in a car accident, you have a legal right to get compensation, but there are different things that you must do. Soon after the wreck, taking safety measures is vital to prevent further harm to the victims. You also need to report the accident, seek medication, consult a personal injury lawyer, and document everything to increase your chances of getting the fair settlement that you deserve.
