The truth of the matter is that most of us will know someone who has been involved in a car accident or be involved in one ourselves at some point in our lives. Every day, thousands of people are injured on U.S. roads. Being injured in a car accident can be a jarring experience, to say the least. You are likely to feel overwhelmed and disoriented afterward. What happens after an accident and what you do after an accident, however, can be critical to recovering your health. It can also be critical to preserving any claim for compensation you may later wish to seek. Here, we will go over some key things to remember after you’ve been in an accident
What Do I Do After a Car Accident?
After you have been in a car accident, take a moment. Take the time you need to get your bearings. Take stock of how you feel and if you have sustained any major injuries. Take a breath. Staying calm will be critical in moving forward after what can be a very traumatic experience.
Once you have taken a moment to process things, at least in part, call 911. The police will be dispatched to the accident scene as will an ambulance or another emergency medical vehicle should anyone be injured. As a result of the police arriving at the accident scene, an official accident report will be generated. The accident report can act as a key piece of evidence to support a personal injury claim later on. It should detail where, when, and how the accident occurred as well as who was involved in the accident. Once available, you should obtain a copy of this accident report to verify that all of the details are correct.
Depending on your injuries and ability, taking pictures at the accident scene can be a good idea. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all. Pictures of the damage sustained in an accident can be compelling in a personal injury claim as well as instructive as to how the accident actually occurred. If you are not able to take pictures at the scene, try to see if someone else can and will take them for you. It is also a good idea to get the names and contact information from any witnesses to the accident. Witnesses can also play an important role in supporting the narrative as to how the accident occurred.
You will also need to call your insurance carrier to notify them of the accident. This should be a priority to help ensure that you get access to your benefits. Your main priority, however, should be seeking immediate medical evaluation and treatment. Get checked out by a doctor even if you may want to try and maintain a stiff upper lip and push through whatever discomfort you may be feeling. This is not the time to try and be tough and power through what could possibly be serious and lasting injuries. Get immediate medical help. Get follow-up care as recommended by your doctor. This will be critical in recovering from your injuries as well as preserving the value of your personal injury claim.
Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys
After an accident, get in touch with the dedicated Philadelphia personal injury team at Cooper, Schall & Levy. We are here to answer all of your accident questions and will fight for you and your right to recover full and fair compensation. Contact us today.
