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.
Things to Avoid After a Car Accident
After being involved in a car accident, it’s important to know what actions can be detrimental both to your well-being and any future claims you might make. Here are some key things to avoid:
Don’t Leave the Scene
Leaving the scene of an accident before it’s appropriate is against the law and could result in criminal hit-and-run charges. If possible, ensure that everyone is safe and wait for law enforcement officers to arrive so you can give them your account of what happened.
Avoid Admitting Fault
While your initial reaction might be to apologize or admit responsibility, this could work against you when determining legal liability. Even a simple “I’m sorry” can be interpreted as an admission of guilt, which may affect insurance claims and any potential legal cases. It’s best to allow the authorities and insurance companies to investigate the accident.
Don’t Accept Any Settlement Offers Too Quickly
Insurance companies may offer you a settlement shortly after the accident. While it might seem appealing to quickly resolve the situation, these offers are often lower than what you might be entitled to – especially considering future medical expenses and potential lost wages. Take your time, evaluate all damages properly, and consult with a legal professional before agreeing to any terms.
Avoid Posting on Social Media
In today’s digital age, many individuals instinctively share their experiences online. However, posting about your accident or injuries can have unintended consequences – insurance companies could use this information against you in your claim.
Potential Compensation You Can Recover After a Car Accident
After a car accident, it’s essential to understand the types of compensation you may be able to recover for your injuries and damages. Filing a claim can help you regain financial stability post-accident as medical expenses, lost wages and emotional distress can take their toll. Below are some common forms of compensation that might be available.
Medical Expenses
This compensation can cover all medical costs related to the accident. This expense often includes hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy services, prescription medications, and assistive devices like wheelchairs when necessary.
Lost Wages
If your injury prevents you from working – whether temporarily or permanently – you can receive compensation for lost income during your recovery. This category also considers diminished earning capacity if you’re unable to return to work fully due to work limitations caused by permanent impairment after an injury.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering typically refers to the emotional distress, physical discomfort, and overall impact your injury has on your daily life. It aims to provide financial relief for both physical pain experienced due to your injuries as well as psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of activities you previously participated in.
Property Damage
If your vehicle was damaged during the accident, compensation may cover repair costs or replacement if deemed a total loss. This compensation can also cover any personal property that was damaged or lost in the accident.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are a type of compensation awarded in civil lawsuits primarily intended to punish the defendant for egregious behavior and deter others from engaging in similar conduct. These damages come into play when the actions of the liable party demonstrate oppression, fraud, or malice toward another individual.
In an action for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, the plaintiff, in addition to the actual damages, may recover damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant.
Determining the types of damages you’re entitled to is best done by an experienced personal injury lawyer.
If you need help after a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation.