A car accident can turn your life upside down. If you were the victim in an accident, you may experience physical injury as well as the possibility of losing your main form of transportation. This can make it difficult for you to return to work, run errands, or enjoy time with your family. While we hope for the best, there is always the risk that we will be involved in an accident while out on the road. If you’ve been injured, take these steps to ensure you’re able to get back on your feet quickly.
Exchange Information
If you were the victim of an accident with another vehicle, or many other vehicles, be sure to get the insurance information and contact information for each driver involved. If you are able, you should also encourage witnesses to stay at the scene so they can speak with police about what they saw. This information can be vital if and when you need to file a personal injury claim in the future.
Collect Evidence
Whenever you are first able, you should start compiling notes about what occurred. Write down what you believe happened in the most detail possible. Jot down notes as memories come back to you. If you were able to get photos at the scene of the accident, include these in your notes. They may prove to be important later. When police are called to the scene, they should have their own notes and records as well. If you are severely injured and unable to take photos or speak with other drivers, police should be on the scene gathering this information as well. Discuss with them what you remember as soon as possible.
File a Report
As mentioned, the police should have been called to the scene of the accident and will have detailed notes as well of what occurred. It’s important that you file a police report as soon as possible after the accident, and you may be encouraged to do so once they report to the scene. However, if the accident was minor and they did not come, you should still file a report. No matter how small, an accident report should still be on record, with all your notes and pictures included, in case there are issues at a later date.
Get Medical Attention
If you haven’t already, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you sustained any injuries, you’ll want a clear and concise record that coincides with the time of the accident. If you plan to take legal action, you need to prove that your injuries were caused by the crash and not by something else, so time is of the essence. Even if you feel fine after the crash, you may experience injuries that appear later, but the doctor may be able to diagnose this before the pain sets in. If you are pressured by the other driver’s insurance to sign a release of your claims, do not rush to do this until you have been fully vetted by a doctor so you do not lose your right to receive more payment for damages.
Hire an Attorney
If you were the victim in an accident, you’ll want to hire a lawyer, as you have every right to compensation for your medical bills as well as damages. There are many attorneys well-versed in the area of personal injury, but you should be sure to find one with an excellent track record and many years of experience in the field. With the right lawyer, you can be sure you’ll be fully compensated for the damages that occurred. If you’re ready to file a personal injury claim, get in touch with an accident lawyer in Springfield, IL to discuss how to move forward with your case.
