Protecting Yourself after a Car Accident
Protecting yourself after an accident is imperative! Below, Aaron Crane, an experienced car accident lawyer at Cantor Crane, explains how you can protect yourself after an accident. Practically every driver is going to be involved in at least one auto accident in their lifetime. We might all hope that these accidents are nothing more than a minor fender bender that gets resolved quickly, but that is not always the case. Some drivers and motorcycle riders will find themselves locked in an escalating legal battle as they fight for compensation. In these situations, it is vital that all drivers understand their rights and responsibilities so that they can protect themselves and their future.
Stay Calm
The most important thing to remember what to do after a car accident is to stay calm. Everyone involved is most likely jittery from adrenaline and possibly even hurt, and turning these situations into a yelling match will only hurt you in the long run. Your priority should be making sure that everyone involved is safe. If possible, all vehicles should be moved out of traffic and off of the main roadway. An ambulance should be called immediately if there are any injuries at all. While drivers are not always obligated to contact the police, it will be in your best interest to do so. The police report will be a very important document during the trial or out-of-court mediation.
Photographing the Scene
Photographs will be invaluable if the accident turns into a civil trial or the insurance provider denies the claim. Anyone who is involved in the accident should take some time to shoot a few pictures of the vehicles that are involved, the location of the accident, skid marks, injuries, and posted signs. These pictures can be shot at a later time, but taking them immediately following the accident could provide you with unique evidence. If you are too injured or incapacitated from your accident, then you should call a family member or close friend to come take some photos on your behalf.
Medical Attention
A number of unusual things happen in an individual’s body when they are involved in a collision. Many people have a surge of adrenaline, and this means that they might not immediately notice the extent of their injuries. In some instances, those who are involved in an accident never head to the hospital because they believe that their injuries are minor. Not only can this result in long-term damage to their body, but it could also hurt their case. Those who are injured in an accident must immediately head to the hospital and document any treatments or medication that they receive.
Your Insurance Provider
While every insurance provider is slightly different, most policies state that a driver must contact their insurance agent within 48 hours of an accident. There are some things to keep in mind when you first call your insurance provider. If the accident was serious, then you should only give them basic information on what has taken place. While you might think that your insurance provider is on your side, these are for-profit companies. Even if you are not to blame for the accident, they might try to pay out as little as possible and leave you with mounting medical bills. As an alternative, you should contact an attorney so that you will have a trained and experienced intermediary.
Contact an Accident Attorney
An auto accident attorney will be an invaluable asset throughout this process. Many drivers make the mistake of accepting a quick payout without realizing just how much compensation they actually deserved. For accidents that have been upgraded to a criminal case, an attorney is an absolute necessity. A legal representative can help you create an airtight case in order to protect your finances and record. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident call an attorney at Cantor Crane at (602) 254-2701 today for a free consultation.
