Accidents are unexpected, but having a plan of action in mind before an accident occurs can make it easy for you to keep your head amidst the chaos that ensues. Furthermore, knowing what you should do after being involved in an auto accident can help you protect your right to be compensated for the damages.
Here are few things to keep in mind:
Call For Help Immediately
Immediately following an accident, the first thing you want to do is to get to safety and, if you can, help others to safety. If you are able to move your car to a safer location, do so. Afterward, make sure that everyone in your car is all right. Check for bleeding and make sure that there are no major problems with the passengers in your vehicle.
Then, call 911 and get the police, the fire department, and ambulances involved right away. You want these professionals on the way to help you and your passengers as soon as possible.
If you have any injuries, seek medical treatment. Do not try to assume that you will be okay. You may not be aware of how bad your injuries are at that time.
Furthermore, lack of documented medical treatment might hurt your chances to recover damages. Follow whatever advice you are given by medical personnel on the scene and fully cooperate with the police.
Collect As Much Evidence As Possible
Next, you want to obtain information about the person who caused your accident. Get driver’s license information, insurance card, license plate number, and anything else you think is necessary to help identify the person.
It is also recommended that you use your phone’s camera to take pictures of the accident, the vehicles and the other person, and people who were involved in the accident. Take a picture of any witnesses and get their statements as well.
Also, take pictures of any skid marks, potholes, traffic signs, or anything that may have been an obstruction to either driver’s view or that could establish liability for the accident and the damages you suffered.
Once the accident is cleaned up, you will have lost the chance to gather evidence, so it very important that you start the process of collecting and documenting evidence immediately. Doing so will help your attorney resolve your case with the best possible results. Individuals who preserve evidence immediately after an accident often recover more compensation because there are fewer disputes over who caused what to occur.
Notify Your Insurance Company As Soon As Possible
Report everything that has happened to your insurance company as accurately as possible, whether you were at fault or not. This is important because the other driver may be underinsured or not insured at all.
It is also necessary to notify the others driver’s insurance company as soon as possible. Give them your name and insurance information, and provide them with a brief version of the accident. If they request more information, inform them that you will get back to them after you have spoken with an Oklahoma personal injury attorney.
Initial Strategy Session: Oklahoma Personal Injury Attorney
Accidents often happen at the most inconvenient times. Knowing in advance what you should do when you are in an auto accident can make resolving your personal injury claim much easier later on. For more detailed advice on what you should do after an automobile accident, contact an experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney.
If you would like a initial consultation with an Oklahoma personal injury attorney or a Tulsa lawyer regarding a personal injury, call Wirth Law Office – Sapulpa at 918-213-0950 immediately. You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim if you’ve suffered a personal injury.
