The first moments after a car accident can be terrifying and disorienting. In the moment, it may be hard to get your bearings and keep your emotions under control. However, it is important to assess the situation as much as possible.
Your decisions in the immediate aftermath could make a big difference in what happens in potential legal proceedings.
Contact authorities
Your first step is to call 911. If you or anyone else is seriously injured, you need to seek medical attention.
Take photos
Taking photos of the damage will be important to recovering losses for damage to your vehicle. However, it’s also important to document any physical injuries. The more information you have, the better off you’ll be later.
Exchange insurance information
It is important to exchange insurance information with everyone involved. It will likely be the insurance company that will be paying you out for any financial recuperation you deserve.
File a police report
A police report will serve as an official account of what happened. The more detail you can put in the report, the better. This could be a very important step for future settlement or litigation.
Contact an attorney
It is important to have an attorney on your side, especially for severe injuries or major accidents. Costs will mount quickly, and the sooner you seek representation the easier it may be to recover your losses.
One other thing to keep in mind is you may not notice all your injuries right away. Head injuries, for example, could have a major impact on your life, but may not be evident in the immediate aftermath.
The more you are able to do following an accident, the better off you will be in the long run.