After a Car Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident, the last thing you want to worry about is what you need to do next. This no-fuss guide will take care of that for you. The article will walk you through the must-take steps so that you can focus on recovering from your accident. Keep reading for more information about what to do after a car accident!
Get An Ambulance Over There
First, calling for medical aid right after the accident is essential to ensure you’re alright. People from Idaho also do this due to advice from their car accident lawyer in Boise as it’s best to have freshly-documented injuries right away to help with being compensated. Medical attention will surely be necessary if there are any visible injuries, but it’s also vital to get checked out even if you don’t think you’re hurt.
Adrenaline can often mask pain in the immediate aftermath of an accident. If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may try to argue that your injuries aren’t related to the accident.
Keep All Your Hospital Bills
There will be lots of bills coming your way after an accident. You will get bills from the ambulance, hospital, surgeries, and more. Keep every single one of these bills! Hold on to the bill if your insurance company says they will cover it. Why?
Because you never know when your insurance might try to lowball you on reimbursement or refuse to pay a bill entirely. If that happens, you can use the original bill as proof of what you owe to get reimbursed by another source.
Another reason to keep all of your hospital bills is for tax purposes. If you itemize your taxes, you can deduct any medical expenses exceeding seven percent of your income. This deduction can be a lifesaver come tax time, so make sure you hold on to all of your receipts!
Call The Police
Get the police to the scene as soon as possible after an accident. They will take statements from all parties involved and can be a great asset when it comes to exchanging insurance information. If you have any injuries, the police will also call for medical assistance.
Do not try to handle the situation alone, especially if there are injuries or significant damage to either vehicle involved. Let the professionals do their job so that you can focus on what’s important, your health and well-being.
Ask for a copy of the police report. This will come in handy when dealing with your insurance company. Make sure not to lie to the police about what happened. Stick to the facts and let them do their job.
Document The Scene Of The Accident
Take pictures of the damage inflicted on both vehicles and any skid marks or debris left on the road. Be sure to get close-ups and wide shots. It’s also important to take pictures of the license plates of both cars. If there are any injuries, photograph those as well. All of this will serve as evidence later on down the line.
Another key step in documenting the scene is taking down the names and contact information of witnesses who may have seen what happened. Eyewitnesses can be crucial in helping to piece together what transpired leading up to the accident. Even if they didn’t see the actual collision, they might have observed one of the drivers behaving erratically before impact.
Exchange Information
No matter what you think of them, you’ll need to talk to the other party and exchange information. Get the following things down:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Insurance company name and policy number
- Driver’s license number (if they’re the driver)
- Make, model, and color of their car
- License plate number
It would help if you also noted the other person’s car make, model, and license plate number. If there are any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information as well. The more information you have, the better.
If you’re in a minor fender bender and everyone seems fine, you can exchange insurance information via email or snail mail. However, if it’s a more serious accident or someone appears injured, always call the police so they can file an official report.
Talk To Witnesses
Witness testimony can help support your claim and act as evidence in court. It’s important to get the contact information of any witnesses at the scene of the accident. If there are no other people around, look for any nearby surveillance cameras that may have captured the incident.
Talking to witnesses is one of your most important steps after a car accident. Not only will their testimony help support your claim, but it can also act as crucial evidence in court. Be sure to get the contact information from all witnesses at the accident scene.
Lawyer Up
If you’re on the fence about needing a lawyer, it’s better to be safe than sorry and hire one. If the other driver involved in the accident doesn’t have insurance, you’ll want a lawyer to help you get compensated.
And, if any injuries are sustained in the accident, you’ll want a lawyer to help you get compensated. And if there’s significant damage to your vehicle, you’ll also want a lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer will give you some peace of mind and ensure that you have someone on your side who knows the ins and outs of getting compensation after an accident.
File A Compensation Claim
With the help of the information you got and your lawyer, you can file a compensation claim against the other party who is at fault for the accident. The amount you receive from the compensation will be based on how severe your injuries are and how much damage was done to your vehicle.
You can also get compensated for lost wages if you miss work because of the accident. And, in some cases, you may be able to get punitive damages as well. These are awarded if the other driver acted recklessly or intentionally to cause an accident.
Car accidents are stressful and hard to get through, but with medical aid right away, it’s going to be much easier. Don’t forget about the medical bills and call the police. After they’ve done their job, document the scene yourself and exchange information while talking to witnesses. Get a good lawyer and let them help you file a compensation claim!