Do You Know What to Do After a Car Accident?
The screech of tires, the crunch of car parts grinding together, and the smashing of fenders and bumpers often accompany a car accident. After a car accident, what comes next?
What do you do when it comes to making sure all the I's are dotted and T's crossed? There isn't a set checklist of items to follow, but there are some things you should think about.
What to Do After a Car Accident – What Comes Next?
For starters, don't panic. Although there are many accidents that cause injuries or even death, the majority of accidents are simple fender-benders. If these happen, think about the following steps.
Move to a Safer Area
If the vehicles are operable, move them off the road or to an area where they won't be in the way. Otherwise, vacate all humans and pets from the premises to a side area.
Check on Everybody
Make sure everyone is okay after a car accident before what comes next. Is everyone conscious and alert? If so, move them away to a safe zone after getting them from the vehicle. If not, then the next step becomes natural.
What to Do After a Car Accident – Call 911
Phone the police. At this point, fire units will follow as well as an ambulance or two. Everyone will be out within several minutes, at which point you can tell your stories.
What to Do After a Car Accident – Exchange Insurance
The insurance companies will need to know the information. How did the accident occur? Any injuries? Did the accident total one or more vehicles?
If so, the insurance company will need to know details before issuing claim checks or covering certain bills. Be as thorough as you can.
The more you do here in terms of what comes next after a car accident, you can take care of all the details and then await the end results.
Signs You Have To Hire A Lawyer After An Accident
Unfortunately, although in most cases, you do not need to hire a lawyer after a car accident, this is not always the case. Although you can easily deal with everything without legal representation, in the following cases you need to contact a professional.
The Accident Caused Death Or Serious Injury
When the accident involved death or a serious injury, you have to quickly contact a really good personal injury attorney. This is because such accidents lead to complicated lawsuits.
It is difficult to file a personal injury claim. This is especially true when insurance companies get involved. Likewise, when you are at fault, you need protection.
You Need Ongoing Care
Unfortunately, many accidents lead to serious injuries. You cannot work if you are seriously injured. Your earning capacity is practically impacted.
The problem with ongoing care following a car accident is that you most likely do not know how much to ask for. Deciding how much to ask for is easier for accident attorneys. They dealt with such cases in the past and have specialists that help them make good choices.
The Accident Involved Multiple Parties
The insurance claim is more complicated when at least 3 accidents were involved. This is also the case when accidents involve parties like property owners, commercial entities and pedestrians.
For instance, let’s say a commercial truck driver does not stop at the red light. Another driver can swerve and hit a car. Then, a motorcycle might run into another car. Such a multi-vehicle accident leads to multiple lawsuits or really complicated lawsuits.
The Accident Involved An Uninsured Motorist
When involved in an accident with a party that is not insured, the car accident attorney has to be contacted as soon as you can. In most states, drivers pay for caused accidents. Even if insurance is needed, not all carry it or have what is needed to cover all repairs.
Auto insurance policies often include uninsured motorist coverage. However, this is oftentimes not enough to cover damage costs. The experienced lawyer allows you to evaluate options and even file civil lawsuits to get more money damages.
You Have To Collect Evidence
When hurt in accidents, you might have to contact lawyers to both collect and analyze the evidence that proves who the driver at fault is. As an example, some new vehicles include black box technology. This records important information that is useful to investigate car accidents.
Black box info tells investigators how fast cars were going when accidents happened. Usually, you even know if the driver was actually wearing a seatbelt or was telling lies.
You Go To A Settlement Talk
You have to know that car accident lawsuits usually settle before reaching the trial phase. Settlement offers come from at-fault drivers and insurance companies. In most cases, the settlement is very low.
Settling lawsuits before trial saves money. However, you need to settle just for fair amounts. Experienced car accident lawyers always negotiate higher settlements than what you can do alone.
