What do you do after being in a car accident? The answer can be complicated because everyone will want to know what happened and how it happened. Other drivers, police officers, insurance adjusters, and many times they will come knocking on your door hours after your accident. There are things you should do and not do after being in an auto accident.
Here are some of those first things you should do after your car accident, and why some of them are more important than you may think.
Seek Medical Treatment
You may not feel injured right away. Adrenaline will cause your body to hide injuries that you may have sustained. Always seek medical treatment after being in a car accident. There are many injuries that take time to show up on the body. If you wait too long to get medical treatment, you could jeopardize your claim.
Call the Police
Call the police no matter how small your accident may be. There will be a police report written up about your accident. If you are able to at the scene:
Photograph your vehicles and injuries
Get the other driver's information and insurance information
Get witness information
Do not discuss fault with the other driver
Speak to No One About Your Accident
After you are done at the hospital and have called the police, there are a couple things you need to remember. Insurance companies will try to get a recorded statement from you as soon as possible. You do not have to give one. Speak to your insurance company and let them know that you were in an accident. That is it.
There are many reasons you should not speak to the insurance company about your accident. They will want to know everything and anything about your accident that could possibly benefit them and hurt you. If you are going to speak to someone about your accident, speak to your attorney first.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Always notify your insurance company that you were in an accident. This does not mean that you need to tell them every detail about what happened. Just let them know that you were involved in an accident and you will follow up with them.
Keep Documentation Of Everything
Keep documentation of everything that pertains to your accident: medical bills, lost wages, repairs, and any symptoms you may be having after your accident. The more documentation you can provide, the more it will help your claim in the long run.
Remember Insurance Companies Are Not On Your Side
This can be difficult to understand when they are nice and helpful over the phone. However, insurance companies want to get out of paying on your claim as quickly as possible. At Stein Law, we deal with these insurance companies daily. Our personal injury attorneys know what they are looking for and can prepare you for any tactics they may use against you.
When Should I Call An Attorney?
As soon as you can. Calling an attorney as soon as possible after your car accident can be beneficial to your claim. You do not need to have everything figured out before you call. We will explain what to do and what not to do after your car accident.
Our personal injury attorneys offer contingency fee cases. This means that you do not have to pay us if we do not get you money. We only get paid if you get paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need An Attorney For My Car Accident?
Maybe. It depends on your accident. Even if you think that you may not have suffered any injuries from your car accident, you should still speak with an attorney. There may be injuries that you did not know you had. Speak with an attorney and see if they can help you.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
We offer free consultations and only charge you if we can get you money for your claim. Your costs will be discussed during your consultation.
How Long Do I Have To File After My Car Accident In Indiana?
There are statutes of limitation that pertain to injury claims. It is best to speak with an attorney about your car accident as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you could be compromising your claim.
If you have been injured in a car accident and have questions, call or text us at 812-948-6000.
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