Immediately after a car accident, the situation will be completely chaotic and confusing. In a condition like this, one needs to act wisely. Remember that a victim can protect themselves against any legal issues by taking the right steps at the right time. If you were involved in a car accident, you are sure to have been injured. Whether your injury is minor or significant, there will be losses. It is important to remain calm and deal appropriately with the situation.
1. Do not leave the accident scene
If you are at fault and leave the accident site, you can be heavily penalized. You must stay on the spot and call the police. You should also try and get medical assistance for the injured person.
In case you are the victim of a car accident, call an ambulance right away. If you are unable to, let someone at the scene of the accident call 911.
2. Do not forget to call the police
Some people consider calling the police only in case of death due to a car accident, which is a mistake. If your injuries are not too severe, the first thing you need to do after a car accident is to call the police. An official police report is a vital piece of evidence. It is a first-hand record of how the accident took place, the names of the people involved in the accident, address, contact information, witnesses if any, and other important details. Filing a police report ensures that you are protected against any fake reports, it helps you to file a lawsuit and even claim car insurance.
3. Do not forget to keep a copy of the police report
Just to stay on the safe side, make sure that you ask for a copy of the police report. It will also be useful for your lawyer to better understand the accident and evaluate your claim.
4. Do not forget to collect important information
If the police are unable to reach the site of the accident immediately, try to gather all the information you can, look for witnesses so that you can contact them in the future, and avoid sharing any useful information with anyone other than your lawyer and the police.
5. Do not lose your cool
It is only normal to lose your cool during an accident. If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence and that caused damage to your car, try not to get upset with the person at-fault. You should rather focus on getting help to the injured.
6. Do not forget to collect information
While reporting the accident to the police remember to mention every little detail about the accident and narrate it well so that it helps in further investigation. You may also consider taking pictures of the accident scene, which is reliable proof. Details about time, weather condition, vehicle’s license plate numbers, etc are essential. Missing out information may only result in you receiving less compensation than you deserve. These are records that your insurance provider will want as well.
7. Avoid an unfair settlement
It is understandable that right after an accident you may be in need of money but you cannot let this deprive you of the compensation you deserve. You should make sure that you consult a professional lawyer before you speak to the other party’s insurer. Even though the process of settlement may be time-consuming, a lawyer will help you get a fair deal and hasty negotiations must be avoided at all costs.
8. Do not file a lawsuit on your own
Filing a lawsuit on your own is also known as “pro se”. While it may seem to be the right thing to do, it may also be a risky step. It is not easy to handle a lawsuit or insurance claim process on your own. Your suit may be dismissed and cost you extra money in the long run. Most car accident lawsuits involve complicated legal procedures and professional lawyers know exactly how to deal with them. They will navigate the challenges of a car accident and successfully present your interests in the court.
9. Stop worrying about the car insurance premium
During a car accident, you should not worry about the future rise in your car insurance premium. An accident is unpredictable and you cannot do much about it. So, do not worry about how your insurance will be affected by the incident and focus on things that need your immediate attention such as recovering from your injuries and procuring appropriate compensation.
It is difficult for an individual involved in a car accident to decide how to react and what to do next. This is why it is recommended that you hire a lawyer. Experienced personal injury lawyers can review the circumstances of the accident, come up with a course of action, gather evidence, and calculate damages to help you proceed. They can also get you in touch with healthcare professionals.
At Claim Settlement, our network of lawyers.. we connect you with have over 20 years of experience in handling personal injury and accident cases and have helped clients recover the maximum compensation in claim settlements. Our initial consultation is absolutely free and you don’t pay your lawyer until you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have suffered an injury or been in an accident call us at 1-833-892-5246 for a free consultation or e-mail us at claim@claimsettlement.ca