What Should I Do After A Car Accident?
When you are involved in a car accident, it can be confusing to determine what steps you should take next. The adrenaline in the immediate aftermath may make it difficult to think straight, especially if you are in pain. The days and weeks to follow may involve talking to insurance providers, filing police reports and gathering more information, all the while feeling the pressure to settle your claim. Taking the following steps after an accident can help ease this process while ensuring your interests remain protected. The attorneys at the law firm of Young Ricchiuti Caldwell & Heller, LLC, are also here to help you through the legal process, one step at a time.
Steps You Should Take Immediately After The Accident
Exchange information: If possible, you should exchange information with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident, such as names, phone numbers and insurance information. If the other driver is uncooperative, then the police should be called to the scene. It is also helpful to get names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
Document the scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, including any nearby traffic control signals or traffic control signs. It can be helpful to write down your account of the accident as soon as you can while it is still fresh in your mind.
Seek medical attention: You may think your injuries are minor, or it may seem like you have not suffered any injuries at all. Regardless, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Injuries to the back and neck may not become symptomatic until days or even weeks after the accident. Traumatic brain injuries may go unnoticed until hours later, when they may become life-threatening. Getting immediate medical attention is one of the most important steps you can take following an accident.
Steps To Take In The Weeks To Come
File a police report: Your insurance provider will require a police report as part of your claims process. Just as it is important to document the scene right away following your accident, you should also file a police report as soon as possible, while the incident is still fresh in your mind.
Inform your insurance provider: You should inform your auto insurance provider of the accident. However, do not volunteer any additional information beyond the basics of what happened or agree to any initial settlement offer. It may seem like your insurance company may have your best interests at heart, but they exist to turn a profit. Any settlement offer is likely less than what you may deserve.
Finally, Contact Us To Discuss Your Options
Once you have taken the above steps, reach out to us to discuss your options for pursuing legal remedies. We can help you recover the full and fair compensation you need following a serious car accident. To schedule a free, no-obligation case review, call our law offices in Philadelphia at 267-838-9653. You may also contact us online.