Car accidents are unfortunate but inevitable. They can cause significant damage to your car, your physical well-being, and your emotional state. It’s important to know what steps you need to take after an accident so that you can get on with life as quickly as possible! This post will provide the Ultimate Motorist Guide: 6 Things To Do After A Car Accident:
Call the Police
If you have been in a car accident, call the police right away. When the police arrive, they will ask you to fill out a report. Make sure that your information is accurate and truthful because any false claims can be used against you in court later on.
Police reports are important documents that may help establish who was at fault for the accident if it comes down to a lawsuit. If this happens, police records could become public knowledge (and potentially available online). This means anyone with access to them would know what happened! That’s why even minor fender benders should always end with police involvement – no matter how cooperative both parties seem during the situation!
Find an Attorney
Most states require drivers involved in a car accident to seek out a lawyer.
There are many benefits of seeking legal representation after an automobile collision.
Attorneys can help you file your claim with the insurance company, give advice on what type of settlement is most likely for that particular situation, and even go up against any defendants if it comes down to litigation!
The only possible drawback here is finding a good attorney. This won’t be as simple as picking one out of a phone book, unfortunately. According to a Las Vegas hit and run attorney, you’ll need to find someone who specializes in car accident cases and has experience winning them! One way you can do this is by asking people you know for recommendations. If they’ve had any sort of legal trouble before (and it worked out well), then ask them if they have an attorney that could help with your situation too.
Friends and family members may be hesitant at first because the thought of getting lawyers involved always leaves a sour taste in their mouth- but don’t let that stop you from trying!
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene and Damage to Your Car
Take photos with a camera outside of your vehicle, so they can’t be tampered with or edited! You could also have someone else take them for you, but make sure whoever it is known not to move anything around after taking each picture! Make sure all features are captured from different angles as well – this means street signs, road debris, weather conditions, etc…
Exchange Contact Information with Other Drivers
Before leaving the scene, you’ll want to exchange contact information with any other drivers involved in your accident. This can be a bit tricky if they choose not to cooperate but try and get their names, phone numbers, addresses (both physical and email) as well as insurance companies‘ name/phone number. You may need this info later on when it comes time to make claims or fill out police reports, so don’t forget anything!
If at all possible, take photos of each driver’s license too – especially if there is an important reason why they might not comply, such as outstanding warrants for arrest. Even minor infractions like speeding tickets or expired registrations could cause them problems down the line.
Remove Any Personal Belongings from Your Vehicle
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may need to have someone else remove any personal belongings from your vehicle. The last thing you want is for them to be stolen out of it! Plus, if there are animals involved (such as a pet or emotional support animal), make sure they are safe and sound too before leaving the scene.
If this absolutely cannot happen, then keep an eye on all items yourself until help arrives- either police assistance or roadside assistance depending on what type of car accident has occurred…
Get a Copy of the Police Report for Insurance Purposes
This will be added proof for any lawsuits filed against a defendant and can also help with insurance claims down the line too! It’s so important to get this report because there is a chance the defendant will deny the accident ever happened or try to change their side of what occurred.
The police officer on-site should have taken pictures and documented any damages done by either party, so you can use all of these materials for your own benefit too! Make sure not to sign anything until talking over everything with your lawyer first, though.
Don’t forget these tips when it comes time to drive again after an automobile collision! They will ensure that everything goes smoothly so that you can get back into the driver’s seat ASAP – no matter how dramatic things might seem at the time.