Every time a driver gets out onto the road, they are at-risk for being involved in an accident. Sadly, sometimes these incidents arise even if a driver does his or her best to avoid a collision. Other drivers may be speeding, weaving in and out of traffic or just not following the rules of the road. When an innocent driver gets pulled into a car wreck and suffers injuries and financial losses, the next best step can be to meet with an attorney for guidance.
In the article here, we have listed some suggestions for how to handle a car accident with diligence while at the scene and afterwards.
The Urgency of Medical Attention
An innocent driver may want to be evaluated by an emergency medical team while at the scene, even if he or she believes to feel okay after impact. Our body may become surged with adrenaline and other hormones due to going through a traumatic event. These hormones can hinder our ability to notice which areas hurt. That is, until a much later time once our system has calmed down. If you have sustained a serious underlying injury and do not get medical attention promptly, your condition could worsen to critical levels.
Another reason why you may want to go to the doctor right away is because if you do decide to file a lawsuit against the other driver, it may look poorly if it took you weeks to see get medical care after the crash. It may be viewed by insurance representatives that your injuries were not as serious as you so claimed. If you do get treatment, keep an organized record of your bills, exams and diagnostics. These documents can be helpful when you meet with an attorney for advice.
Exchanging Information
When in the midst of a very terrible accident, sometimes a driver may forget about the importance of exchanging information with the other person. The driver at-fault may be sneaky when it comes to giving you their details. For example, they may give you a nickname instead of their birth name, a false last name, or an incorrect address. When asking for the driver’s information, request to see their drivers license for yourself instead of taking their word for it. The facts you should get from the driver who hit you include the following:
- First and last name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Insurance company name (request to see card)
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle make/model/year/color
- License plate number
A car accident lawyer can understand just how much strife you may be going through after the wreck. You may have to deal with getting your car fixed, contacting your insurance company, healing from injuries and may even be out of work due to your condition. Let your attorney help you get back on track and be a resource as you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.