If you’ve been in a car accident, some basic questions need to be answered. Have you or anyone else involved suffered injuries? If so, how severe is the damage, and who will pay for these damages? Those are just two of many important questions following an accident. Depending on your location at the time of the accident and the severity, you may need to contact an attorney or view website.
Step-by-step guide on how to navigate the whole process:
Step one: what to do right after the accident. If you have been injured, call 911 and request medical attention immediately. This is a very important step as it ensures that you are safe. Once this has been taken care of, you can begin to take care of the necessary steps. If you are not injured and the accident is minor, move your car to a safe location off the road.
Step two: gather evidence at the scene of the accident. This includes taking pictures of both cars involved in the accident and collecting contact information from any witnesses. This information will be crucial in the next steps that are taken.
Step three: contact an attorney after gathering all of your evidence. The last thing you want to do is wait to call a lawyer because it could affect any future claims or lawsuits filed by yourself, witnesses, and other parties involved in the accident.
Step four: file a police report. If you have been injured by accident, it is important to file a report with your local law enforcement agency within 24 hours of the accident’s occurrence.
Step five: wait for the insurance company to contact you. The insurance company will likely want to take a statement from you and inspect the damage done to both cars. They may also try and settle with you outside of court; however, you must speak with an attorney before accepting any offers.
Step six: file your case in court. After speaking with an attorney, you will be able to determine if you must file a claim or lawsuit against the other party involved in the accident.
Ensuring that you take all of these necessary steps after a car accident will help ensure that any injuries or damages suffered are taken care of as soon as possible. Navigating the legal process can be difficult, but it becomes much easier with an experienced lawyer on your side. For more information on what to do after a car accident, please get in touch with our office for a free consultation.