What should I do after an accident?

category: Car Accidents

What should I do
after a car accident?

Are you confident that you know what actions to take if you get in a car accident? As they say, expect the unexpected. Though no one wishes or expects to get in a serious car accident, it is important to be prepared and know what steps to take. This will allow you the best prognosis for your physical recovery as well as the best chance at obtaining a full financial recovery in your car accident claim.

When you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, you need to speak with a Southern Illinois car accident lawyer right away. To find out how our team of experienced and accomplished car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you need after being hurt in an accident, contact us today. You can reach one of our dedicated Southern Illinois car accident attorneys by calling us at (800) 553-3125 or visiting us online or in person now.

What to do After a Car Accident

Being involved in any kind of accident is a shock. You are going about your day as normal, and suddenly everything changes. No matter the severity of the accident or who is at fault, being in an accident is jarring.

It is prudent to educate yourself as a driver of the steps to take after being in an auto accident. Even the most careful, responsible drivers run the risk of being involved in an accident at some point, especially one that is not their fault. In the event that you are struck by another vehicle or other conditions cause you to crash, remember to follow these steps.

If you have been in an accident, you should:

1. Secure your location.
   

   You should stay close to the site of the impact, but your first priority is your safety. Immediately after the collision, do what you can to avoid additional harm to you or other road users. This could mean putting up flares, turning on your hazard lights, or pulling to the shoulder of the road.

2. Call 911.
   

   Do not assume that someone else has already called the authorities. Call 911 to get police to the scene of the accident as well as emergency medical technicians who can provide anyone injured with the necessary medical triage and get them the immediate medical care they need. If your injuries from the accident are severe, you may be removed from the scene and rushed to the nearest hospital. In that event, your lawyer will help you collect the information that comes from the following steps.

3. Exchange information.
   

   Get the name, driver's license, insurance information, phone number, and address of each driver involved in your Southern Illinois car accident. This means that if there was a five car pileup, you should try to get information from each of the other four drivers. Do not discuss the accident or say anything that implies that you accept responsibility for the accident. However, you should be polite and cordial when speaking to the other drivers.

4. Talk to witnesses.
   

   Try to speak to anyone who witnessed the accident. Get their contact information and write down or record their account of what happened. Do not rely on the police officers on the scene to file all witness information in the report. Being able to contact witnesses may be helpful when you negotiate your Southern Illinois car accident claim.

5. Document the accident.
   

   If it is safe for you to do so, take photos and video of the damage from the accident, the conditions of the road, and anything else that pertains to the crash. Images of the damage to your vehicle, skid marks on the road, how the traffic signals and signs are situated, the weather conditions, and other details can be paramount to proving what happened and who is at fault.

6. Get medical care.
   

   After your car accident, you should receive medical attention. This is an important step whether or not you have obvious injuries at the time of the accident. Receiving the proper medical care can be the difference between a swift recovery and a lifetime of pain and limitation. Likewise, documented assessment and treatment by a medical professional can be the difference between collecting a couple of thousand dollars for property damage to your vehicle and getting a policy limit settlement that reflects the extent to which your injuries have impacted your life.

7. Hire a car accident attorney.
   

   You should contact a Southern Illinois car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your car accident. The sooner you get an experienced car accident lawyer on your case, the more effectively they will be able to help you secure a full financial recovery. Look for a lawyer who has experience winning cases like yours and one you can trust to do what it takes to get you the outcome you want and need. The lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. have been trusted by hundreds of Illinois families and individuals to stand up against insurance companies and secure the compensation they are entitled to receive. Hire us to allow us to begin working on your behalf today.

After a Car Accident, Call Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

The Southern Illinois car accident lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. can help you reach the outcome you deserve in your car accident or other auto accident case. Find out how we can provide support and guidance throughout your car accident claim process and how we can negotiate the best possible sum for your case by speaking with our talented personal injury lawyers today. Call us at (800) 553-3125 or reach us online now.