Legal Do's And Don'ts For Car Accident Victims

Each and every year, around 6 million car accidents occur in the United States, leading to over 90 deaths per day and countless injuries too. The statistics make for terrifying reading, and the causes of these accidents can range from drunk-drivers to distracted driving, excessive speeding, and general negligence.

The pain and suffering caused by car accidents can be life-altering, with many people losing loved ones or dealing with serious physical and mental issues after being involved in a collision. This whole situation can be made even more stressful and traumatic when legal cases start to unfold and car accident victims worry about how they're going to cover all of the associated costs.

Fortunately, attorneys are there to help, and there are plenty of lawyers and legal teams who have extensive experience in dealing with car accident claims, helping to provide at least some measure of justice to innocent victims of these incidents, as well as compensating them for the damages and distress they've endured. If you want your case to go smoothly after an accident, be sure to follow these key do's and don'ts.

Do: Seek Medical Attention Immediately 

One of the first things to do after an accident is to seek medical care. If you or anyone else in the vehicle feel that you've been injured, you need to get help immediately. Even if you're only suffering from mild pain, like a slight ache in your neck or head, it could be a sign of something quite serious like whiplash, or it might get much worse if left untreated. 

Head to a hospital and get yourself and any passengers checked over for injuries. This isn't just sensible for your health and well-being, but also for any future legal cases that may occur, as opposing legal teams may try to argue against your case if you claim to have been injured in an accident but didn't seek medical attention in the aftermath of the crash.

Don't: Stress Out Or Wait Too Long 

In the wake of an accident, it's perfectly normal and natural for your mind to be a bit of a mess. Many people get stressed, scared, and anxious after an accident. They lose focus and don't quite know what to do or say. As hard as it may be, try to keep your emotions under control. 

Don't panic or get angry in the wake of an accident, and try to focus on doing the important things like calling for help, contacting the cops, and getting medical care. Stay at the site of the accident until help arrives, don't get into any kind of fights or arguments with the other driver, and don't waste any time. Report, document, and contact an attorney right away, as every second that passes without legal aid could

Do: Document And Report Everything 

As well as seeking medical attention in the wake of an accident, you should also make sure to document and report absolutely everything. It's highly likely that you or someone else in the vehicle will have a cell phone, so use it to take some photos of the vehicle, the surrounding area of the incident, and any signs of injuries on your body too. 

Report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as you can too, as well as contacting the police and sharing the full details of what happened. This is so important, as opposing legal teams may try to argue that the incident wasn't too serious if you failed to report it to the police, or they may simply turn it into a case of your word against the other driver if you don't have proper evidence and police reports to back up what you're saying.

Don't: Talk Too Much 

You should absolutely report what happened after an accident to the police and your insurance provider, but you shouldn't talk too much or answer too many questions before contacting an attorney. Once you've got an attorney on your side, you'll be able to check with them and get advice on what you should or shouldn't do. 

You definitely shouldn't sign anything or make any recorded statements in the wake of an accident, nor should you accept blame or admit to any kind of fault right away. Even if you feel that the accident was partly your fault, you may not be aware that the other driver was texting or under the influence at the time, so admitting guilt could harm your case.

Conclusion

Being in an accident can be quite a terrifying and life-altering experience, but you don't have to suffer through it alone. Lawyers can help to advise you on the right course of action to take, as well as helping you file a successful case, so be sure to follow these do's and don'ts if you ever find yourself involved in a collision.

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