The moments after a car accident are stressful and disorienting. While every situation is different, understanding some general steps can help you protect your health and your potential claim.
Check for Injuries and Get to Safety
Your safety comes first. If anyone is injured, call 911. If your vehicle is creating a hazard and it is safe to do so, moving it out of active traffic can help prevent further harm.
Report to Police
Having law enforcement respond and document the scene creates an official record of the accident. Obtaining a copy of the traffic collision report can be useful later.
Document What You Can
If you’re able, photographs of the vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries can be helpful. Exchanging information with the other driver and getting the names and contact information of any witnesses is generally sensible.
Seek Medical Care
It is generally wise to see a doctor even if you feel fine. Some injuries — including concussions and soft-tissue damage — may not be immediately obvious. Prompt medical care is important for your health, and it also helps connect any injuries to the accident.
Be Thoughtful About Insurance Communications
The other driver’s insurer may contact you fairly quickly. You are generally under no obligation to give the other party’s insurer a recorded statement, and it is often wise to speak with an attorney before doing so or before accepting any settlement. Your obligations to your own insurer can depend on your policy, which is one of the things worth reviewing with an attorney.
Consider Speaking With an Attorney
If you’ve been injured, or if there’s any dispute about fault, it is often worth having your situation reviewed. Waiting can make evidence harder to preserve, so it is generally wise not to delay. Learn more about how we handle car accident cases, or contact Petrosian Law for a free consultation.
The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments — laws change over time. Nothing here constitutes legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every person and every claim or case is different, and the way the law applies depends on the specific facts involved. If you have a legal question or concern, you should consult a licensed attorney about your particular situation.