Lawyer Pro-Tips: What To Do After A Car Accident
It is extremely common for one to be left feeling shocked and vulnerable immediately after your involvement in a car accident. However, it is during this uncertain time that several things need to be done to protect your health, property, and legal rights. This blog post will provide a brief overview of what we would suggest you do in the unfortunate event of a car accident. If you follow these steps, you will be in the best position to ensure that you and your family can focus on what is important and avoid the pitfalls and confusion that the legal system may throw at you.
1. Call the police.
In Arkansas, you are required pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 27-53-202 to notify the nearest law enforcement agency of all accidents where anyone is injured or that result in $1,000 or more in property damage. This is for good reason as the police serve a vital role to protect your rights during a frightening time. First, the police will ensure accurate insurance information from all involved in the accident which is of the utmost importance. Second, the police will take narrative statements from both drivers—this is vitally important as people’s memories fade. Third, police will often interview witnesses and record their contact information which is very useful if they are ever needed to testify. Fourth, the police can even secure video footage of the accident from nearby businesses’ security cameras if there are conflicting versions of the accident.
We also recommend not to move the vehicles until the police arrive. This ensures that the police will arrive to an accurate accident scene and hence will be able to document an accurate accident scene.
2. Record what happened to the best of your ability.
It is vital that you take photographs and/or videos of everything related to the accident. Your documentation should include damage to property, the location where the collision occurred, and all of your injuries sustained in the accident (i.e., swelling, cuts, and bruises). After the accident, try and take photos of the scene of the accident before any of the vehicles involved are moved.
In addition to photographs and videos, notes are also critical. After the accident, take notes of everything you remember of the accident while it is fresh in your mind. Many details can be lost if you wait to record your recollection. If you are experiencing pain, make a diary of what you are going through. Our memories are not perfect and fade over time. Thus, in order to most accurately present the entire picture of what happened and to illustrate what you are going through as a result of the accident, it is important that you record things as soon as you can.
3. Seek medical treatment.
The most common error we see people commit after a car accident is failing to seek prompt medical attention. It is extremely common for people involved in such accidents to be seriously injured in the collision but, miraculously, feel fine immediately afterward. This is for two primary reasons. First, adrenaline will inevitably set in after a wreck, working to mask much of the pain. Second, the most common trauma-based injuries from a car wreck are often slow to onset. For example, if one suffers a whiplash episode, he or she will often not experience pain from the incident for up to 24 hours, if not days later. The same can be said with severe disc injuries in the neck and beck. A disc injury caused in a wreck will often not cause pain or symptoms until weeks after the collision Thus, it is imperative for your health to promptly seek medical attention, even if you do not immediately feel the effects of your accident. Seeking medical attention after a car wreck also works to protect your legal rights, as it will accurately demonstrate when your injuries occurred and the extent of your injuries.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance agent or the company’s emergency claims number as soon as you can after the accident.
5. Call Us For A Free Consultation
In today’s world, it is no longer a secret that insurance companies often take advantage of people. To protect yourself and your family, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney shortly after the wreck. As previously mentioned, our firm always advises that anyone involved in a car wreck seek medical treatment in order to ensure his or her physical health. After your health is accounted for, you can contact us to protect your legal rights. It is important to remember that consultations are absolutely free. During your consultation our attorneys can explain what rights you have, what steps need to be taken to best preserve those rights, and whether we believe you have a viable claim. If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, please do not hesitate to contact us today for your free consultation.