Car accidents can happen to anyone, even to careful drivers. In most cases, you may feel shocked, overwhelming, and angry at the other driver immediately after an accident. However, you must remember there are important things to do at the scene of the crash and soon afterward in order to secure your entitled compensation without experiencing any problems along the way.
The following are the proper steps to take after a car accident:
- Check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If serious injuries are apparent, call 911 or ask someone else to do so. Wait until emergency medical personnel arrive and try not to move.
- Call law enforcement. Whether your accident is a minor fender-bender or a devastating collision, call the police so that they can file a police report. Make sure you obtain the name and badge numbers of the responding officers.
- Exchange information with the other driver and witnesses. Obtain the name of the other driver, their number, their address, their driver’s license, their license plate number, as well as basic insurance information. If witnesses were there, ask each one of them what they saw, then get their contact information.
- Inform your insurance provider. Tell your insurance company that you were involved in a crash. Cooperate with them and disclose the truth about what happened by explaining the facts clearly.
- Document the scene. Using the camera on your cellphone, take pictures of the scene of the accident. Make sure you capture the damage to both vehicles, the injuries of everyone involved, as well as the street and road conditions. Remember, if your injuries need time to heal, record the progress of your injuries to demonstrate the extent and severity of them.
- Contact an attorney. If anyone is injured in the accident, it is wise to consult with an experienced lawyer. If you are injured, an attorney can help you maximize your recovery.
If you suffered a serious injury in a car accident caused by a negligent driver in Idaho, contact our Pocatello personal injury lawyer at May Rammell & Thompson today.
