Have you ever been involved in an auto accident? It can be quite a traumatizing and frightening experience altogether. While in that state of confusion, you may not know what to do or who to contact. Remember, car accidents do happen even to careful and experienced drivers. Essentially, it is recommended to have some basic knowledge of what you can do if you’ve been involved in either a car, motorcycle, or even a bicycle accident. Here are some tips you can use.
Ensure Your Safety
Your safety and health should always be your priority at all times. Hence, before anything else, ensure you and the people on board are safe and free from danger. Turn off the engine, move all your passengers out of the car and head to the sidewalk for your well-being, and wait for help to arrive.
Call for Medical Help
If anyone is injured, try not to move them and dial the emergency hotlines for assistance. The medical team will evaluate and transfer them to a hospital where they can get proper medical attention. Whether you have sustained physical injuries or not, if you feel your body is not as it was, please have it checked by your doctor. Most of the injuries that people suffer in an auto accident are internal injuries that cannot be diagnosed with mere eyes. The doctors will recommend that you undergo a scan or conduct some tests to establish whether you’ve sustained internal injuries or are free from risk. Don’t forget to retain the medical report and receipts. You may need to present them to your insurance company.
Protect the Evidence
When an accident happens, remember you are the first person who can protect the evidence at the scene. So, if you are not injured, secure as much evidence as you can. Take photos or a video showing the damages of the accident and the degree of impact on the involved vehicles or any personal injuries. The evidence will help support your claim. If you realize some people may have witnessed the accident, consider getting their information as well. They can be useful in backing up your evidence and allegations. You can provide this evidence to the Fort Collins accident attorney to be used in your settlement negotiation.
Call the Police
If the accident occurs on a busy road, the traffic police will likely appear even before you call them. The main aim will be to document the accident and clear the congestion to allow the traffic to move. You can add the police report to your evidence compilation. It may include the witnesses’ information, but you can’t entirely rely on this. Hence, make sure you also take the contact details of the witnesses. If your vehicle is being towed away, instruct the responsible party not to interfere with anything until it is properly examined.
Consult a Lawyer
Contact an accident attorney who is skilled and experienced in handling auto accident cases. The attorney will fight for your rights to ensure you are adequately compensated. An experienced lawyer will be beneficial to your case since they know how the insurance providers work and how to get a fair settlement deal for you.
File an Auto Insurance Claim
Ensure you report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as you can. Time is crucial when it comes to an insurance settlement. Don’t go for any settlement negotiations without your lawyer. A qualified accident attorney will ensure that you don’t fall victim to the insurance adjuster’s cunningness.
People involved in auto crashes and are not aware of the steps they can take are often left suffering from no one to help them. Equip yourself with necessary information about things you can do and save yourself from financial strain and unattended injuries. Engage with an accident attorney to fight for what you rightfully deserve.
