Steps to Take Immediately After a Car Crash
You’ve just been in a car accident that wasn’t your fault. Now what? Here are some of the actions to take so that you can ensure you are safe and have the information needed to hold the responsible party accountable for what they’ve done:
Assess Yourself for Injuries
Before moving, it’s important to assess yourself to see if you have any pain anywhere and if you think you might be injured. If your injuries feel severe, it’s best not to move until medical professionals arrive on the scene. If you can move, you should get out of the way of traffic and move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible.
Call 911
Once you’re safe, you should call 911. As best as you can, inform them of your location and the facts about what happened. Don’t say what you think happened; only provide objective facts.
Seek Medical Attention
Depending on how badly you’re injured, one of the first things you should do is seek medical attention. If you think you have serious injuries but can still move, you should go to the hospital immediately. If you feel you are not badly hurt, you should still seek medical attention the same day as the accident and have your injuries and condition assessed by a medical professional.
Take Pictures of the Scene
While waiting for emergency services to arrive, if you are able, you should take pictures of the scene to document what happened. You should snap photos of the cars, license plates, any damages, any obstructions in the road, the surrounding area, the weather, and any injuries you might have. These images can help you later when filing a claim.
Speak to the Police
When the police arrive to make a report, they’ll want to interview you. When you tell them your account of what happened, you’ll want to stick to the facts and not place any blame on anyone, even if you think they caused it. This includes yourself—don’t apologize for anything, as that can be seen as an admission of guilt.
Exchange Information
Any other drivers involved should exchange their contact information with you, including their insurance information. You’ll want their name, address, phone number, license number, license plate number, and any other information that you might find relevant.
Get Witness Contact Information
There were probably some other people around who witnessed what happened. You should get their contact information and ask if they’d be willing to be a witness for you if you decide to file a legal claim.
Hire a Lawyer
The next thing you’ll want to do after an accident is hire an attorney. They’ll be able to guide you through the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected every step of the way.
When you’ve been in a collision in Arkansas, you’ll want a Bentonville car accident lawyer on your side. We’ll fight to get you the justice you deserve after someone else’s negligence caused you harm.