If you have been involved in a car accident, there are many steps you should take to protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Here are nine things you should do after a car accident:
Assess the Situation
Your first priority after a car accident should be to make sure that you and anyone else involved in the accident are safe. If anyone has been injured, call 911 immediately. If the accident is minor and no one is hurt, move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if possible.
Exchange Information
If you are able to do so, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Be sure to get the following:
Driver’s name
Driver’s phone number
Insurance company and policy number
Make and model of the vehicle
The license plate number of the vehicle
Be sure not to say more than necessary when gathering this information or you may make your case harder for your Albuquerque car accident attorney.
Seek Medical Attention
If you or anyone else involved in the accident has been injured, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you were seriously injured, it is still a good idea to be evaluated by a medical professional to make sure you are okay.
Take Photos
Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle involved in the accident. Be sure to also take photos of any visible injuries you or the other driver may have sustained. If there were any witnesses to the accident, try to get their contact information as well.
Contact Insurance
After a car accident, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and start the claims process. Be sure to provide them with all of the information you collected at the accident scene, including the other driver’s contact and insurance information.
Track Medical Expenses
If you have incurred any medical expenses as a result of the car accident, be sure to keep track of all of your bills, receipts and other documentation. You may be able to recover these costs as part of your insurance claim or legal action.
Track Lost Income
If you have missed work or other income-earning opportunities as a result of the car accident, be sure to keep a record of your lost income. This may include pay stubs, time sheets, or other documentation showing how much you would have earned if you had not been involved in the accident.
Don’t Talk
Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. The other driver’s insurance company may contact you and ask you to give a recorded statement about the accident. You are not required to give a recorded statement and it is generally not in your best interest to do so. Instead, you can provide a written statement or refer the insurance company to your attorney.
Don’t Settle
Don’t accept a settlement offer without consulting with an Albuquerque car accident attorney. The other driver’s insurance company may offer you a settlement to resolve your claim. Before you accept any settlement offer, it is important to consult with an attorney to make sure that the offer is fair and adequate. An attorney can help you negotiate a better settlement or pursue legal action if necessary.
After an accident, you may be injured, scared, and standing before a variety of challenges as a result of the crash. Follow these guidelines and stay calm and you will be firmly on the road to recovery.
