Car accidents happen, and they might lead to injuries. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you want to know what you should do next. The right steps will help cover you in multiple ways. Let’s look at what you should do after suffering an auto accident injury.
Steps to Take After You’ve Been Injured in an Auto Accident
1. Safety First
When possible, get your vehicle off the road or block off the area around it for oncoming traffic to go around. Move yourself to a safe place, if you can. If you are stuck in the vehicle or cannot move, don’t try to do anything, except calling 9-1-1, if that’s possible.
2. Gather Information, if Possible
When you’ve been in a car accident, if you can, gather information. This may include taking pictures, getting information from the other drivers, and getting a copy of the accident report. If there were witnesses, get information from them, too, if possible.
Some of the vital information you want to get includes:
- Names of the other drivers, their addresses, and their phone numbers.
- Insurance information from other drivers, including company name and policy number.
- Vehicle information, including make model, color, and year. Take a picture of the VIN and/or license plate, if possible, too.
- Take pictures of the accident and vehicles involved, if possible.
Along with this information, if the police come onto the scene, once it’s filed, get a copy of the police report.
3. Get Medical Treatment ASAP
If you or someone else in the accident was injured, you need to get medical treatment immediately. This may come from an ambulance, but it might also come from the Auto Accident Doctor in Jacksonville. You need to get the right medical treatment for you as soon as possible.
Waiting too long could impact the insurance coverage for your injuries. Make sure you get the diagnosis and treatment you need for your injuries immediately after the accident. Whether you need an MRI, X-ray, or an attorney referral, the Spinal Injury Centers Auto Accident Doctor will help you after an accident.
4. Notify your Insurance Company
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. This might ensure you’re covered for an injury you don’t even know you have yet. It’s best to let your insurance company handle a claim over trying to settle on the scene of the accident, too.
5. Don’t Speak about Responsibility at the Scene of the Accident
While most of this list is things you need to do, this one is something to avoid. You don’t want to speak with others involved about responsibility. Avoid this type of conversation. Let the police sort this out, as they will likely place responsibility in their report.
6. Hire an Attorney
It’s also a good idea to hire an attorney if you’ve been injured in an auto accident. They will make sure you get what you deserve from the insurance company to cover your injuries. Sometimes, insurance companies will attempt to pay out as little as possible. An attorney will fight for you to ensure you get what you are owed after an injury in an auto accident.
Follow these steps if you’ve been injured in an auto accident. Make sure you get the medical help you need as soon as possible.