After being involved in an auto accident, certain steps should be taken to protect the life of the injured party, his/her entitlements, and any legal processes that the incident may bring about. The measures you take should not only assist you in getting over the shock of the occurrence but also put you in a protected legal position. Regardless of the degree of injury, it is essential to understand what to do subsequently for the health of every party involved in the accident. This article highlights the five essential steps to follow immediately after an accident.
Ensure Safety
The first thing that you need to do is ascertain if there are any head or neck injuries to your body or the body of other people involved. If you can, you should also inquire if everyone is well or if they require any sort of medical attention. This is especially important if you do not notice any discomfort at first because some traumas require time to demonstrate signs of harm. If possible, pull off the road or a safe area and activate the vehicle's hazards. This helps avoid more accidents and enables emergency services to attend to the situation. Lastly, it is recommended that before getting out of your car, you engage the parking brake. If you detect the smell of gas, see smoke or flames, or if you feel uncomfortable in any way, then it is better to leave the car as soon as possible and go to a safe place, a bit far from the accident scene, but in sight. Remain at the scene after that as leaving is prohibited as per law especially in case of an accident involving any injuries.
Call Emergency Services
Call the police or the emergency services first to report the accident as soon as possible. This is especially so in case there are any injuries or any major damages to the observable properties. Report the exact location or nearest intersection and give details of the accident to the required emergency units dispatched and local police. Law enforcement officers will prepare a police report that contains information on the accident. This report is useful in handling insurance claims or in the case of any legal proceedings in the future regarding the accident. When communicating with officers, remain polite and refrain from making any decisions regarding the fault or making any comments that may be considered an admission of guilt.
Gather Information
Before the arrival of emergency response personnel, begin gathering information from all the participants in the accident. Get their full names, phone contacts, current residential addresses, their driver's license numbers, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance company numbers. Also, there is a need to record the exact time the accident happened, the location description, including the cross streets, and other conditions such as weather conditions, visibility problems, or road construction, among others. If there are any eyewitnesses to the accident, obtain their details for further contact.
Document the Scene
With your mobile phone or camera, take pictures that will provide details of the accident scene. Obtain overall views of all the vehicles and the surrounding scene, as well as close-up pictures of any observable impacts, tire marks, or other particles on the roadway, traffic signs or signals, and weather conditions. If possible, try to add something for perspective, like a person or some object of known dimensions. These could be part of the requirements for insurance claims or legal courses of action that may follow.
Consult an Attorney
It is also wise to consult an accomplished personal injury attorney within a few hours of the accident. They can offer a professional analysis of the degrees of fault and liability issues. However, make sure to consult a lawyer who is well-informed about the local remedies and legal procedures. For instance, if you had a car accident in Denver, then getting in contact with professional Denver car accident lawyers who are well-versed in the local laws and can provide tailored advice is recommended. A lawyer can also discuss whether seeking legal remedy, such as filing a personal injury case against any liable parties, could be possible and plan the most effective ways of recovering. And if there is a disagreement on insurance claims, you already have legal representation set in place.
Conclusion
Smart, timely decisions and obedience to procedures, as well as remaining calm after a car accident, place you on the best course of action. The health and safety of the people involved in an accident must be given priority, as well as ensuring that the documentation is done properly to cover the legal aspect in the case of accident trauma. While shocking at first, exercising caution and gathering information puts you in a better position during periods of uncertainty.
