Every year more than six million car accidents take place in the United States alone. Fortunately, most of them involve property or vehicle damage instead of injuries to the drivers or passengers. However, statistics also reveal that one in every three accidents entails serious injuries to the driver or co-travelers, with some leading to fatalities.
Car accidents can be devastating and it is easy to get perplexed, shaken, and confused. Rather than getting disoriented, it is important to obtain crucial details from the accident scene. While every accident situation is different, there are a few things that you need to consider if you are involved in one, which in turn can save you mountains of sorrow. These are as follows:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
While some people are lucky to escape with minor bruises, some may suffer serious injuries. In both the cases, you must seek immediate medical care because at times, injuries that are not immediately apparent or appear less serious can lead to serious and permanent health issues if left untreated.
Report Accident:
Irrespective of the gravity of an accident, it is important to call the police and report the incident. You must ask for a copy of the report from the police officers present at the accident scene as you may need the document while filing a claim with your insurance company.
Gather Evidence:
It’s important to gather information from those present at the accident site to protect yourself legally while simultaneously creating a valid and strong case against the party accused of causing you injuries. It is recommended you take the following steps:
- Document the accident by taking pictures of the accident scene and your as well as the other party’s vehicle to show the extent of damage caused to both the automobiles. You can share these photos with your insurer during the claim-filing process so as to support your claim.
- Pen down the names, addresses, and contact details of everyone involved in the accident including passersby.
Notify Your Insurer:
It will be in your interest to notify your insurer about the accident as soon as possible. If you call them while you are still at the scene, it’ll be quite useful for you. At times, the police officer present at an accident scene can provide your insurance company with more precise details than you.
Consult Attorney:
Car accident cases are usually intricate and isn’t easy to handle them on your own. You must consider engaging the services of an experienced car accident attorney in Baton Rouge who will help you deal with the complex proceedings of the personal injury law.
An automobile accident involving a car, truck, or motorbike can leave even the most seasoned driver disturbed and disoriented. To save yourself from unnecessary worries, make sure you follow the aforementioned steps.
