There are several things you should do as soon as you can after a car accident to ensure any legal claim you may have is not damaged. Not taking these steps could cost you substantial money.
The first thing to do after a car accident is to get medical assistance for yourself and anyone else who has been hurt. If you do not need emergency care, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. There are serious injuries common in car accidents that begin to exhibit symptoms only a day or so later.
Beyond the medical benefits, seeing a doctor documents your injuries for a potential claim. Save every record of your treatment and its costs, including receipts for prescription or over-the-counter medication.
Contact police and your insurance company right after a car accident. You must contact your insurer to initiate a claim, and they will require you to report the accident to law enforcement authorities.This, too, documents your accident from the start. If police respond, obtain a copy of their report.
If police don’t respond and obtain it for you, get contact, driver’s license and insurance information from the other drivers. Get contact information for any witnesses to the crash (including passengers).
If you can, take photos of the accident scene. Get pictures of vehicles and their damage, crash debris, and any road or weather conditions that may have contributed to the crash.
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