If you ever find yourself in a car accident in Washington D.C., knowing what actions to take immediately after can significantly influence the outcome. This situation can certainly be overwhelming, so it’s helpful to understand what steps you can take to make sure you’re giving yourself the best chance at a successful recovery. Here’s what you should do:
At The Scene of The Accident
The immediate aftermath of a car accident may be chaotic and stressful, but knowing the steps you should take at the scene can guide your recovery.
Check For Injuries and Ensure Your Safety: Your health and well-being are the most important things after a car accident, so it’s essential that you take immediate steps to ensure your safety: check yourself for any injuries and assess how severe they are if you can. If you’re able to move safely, make sure you get out of the way of oncoming traffic as soon as possible.
Call 911: Calling 911 right away serves several important purposes. If injuries have occurred, medical personnel will be dispatched to provide treatment promptly. Additionally, an officer can come and write a police report confirming the accident took place.
This record could prove invaluable when pursuing legal protection or filing claims with insurance companies.
Exchange Information: Exchanging information with the other drivers involved in the accident is a key step towards successfully navigating your accident. You should collect their names, contact details like phone number and address, and their insurance and registration information.
Take note of vehicle descriptions as well (color, make/model), license plate numbers, and any distinguishing characteristics that may be relevant later on.
Exchange Witness Information: If there are any witnesses available at the scene of the collision, take down their contact information as well; they could become important later if your claim needs to be corroborated.
After Leaving The Scene
The important steps you need to take don’t end at the scene of the accident. Here’s what you need to do in the aftermath of the incident:
Seek Medical Attention: Regardless of whether you feel injured in the immediate aftermath, scheduling a doctor’s visit is vital. Some injuries initially have no symptoms but can cause serious damage down the line if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance providers promptly about what occurred to start documenting the situation for any relevant claims. If they ask you for a recorded statement, tell them you don’t want to give one until you speak with a lawyer – no matter how nice they seem. They’re often looking for ways to trip you up and reduce your payout.
Keep Records: Maintain a detailed record of all accident-related documents. This includes but is not limited to, receipts for associated costs, notes from doctor’s appointments, medical bills, and treatments received. Any correspondence with your insurance company should be kept too. These records provide potentially critical evidence as you move forward.
Hire a Lawyer: After taking care of your immediate needs, consulting with an experienced car accident lawyer in Washington D.C. is highly recommended to protect and exercise all rights on your behalf throughout this process. An attorney can guide you through the complicated web of insurance claims or potentially help with pursuing a lawsuit if applicable.
A competent lawyer will be well versed in traffic laws and will know how to handle all the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on recovering. One of the most important things they’ll do for you is ensure your claim is filed on time so you don’t miss out on your chance for compensation.
If you need help after a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation.