9 Steps to Success When Injured In A Car Accident – If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to stay calm and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others. Car accidents can be traumatic, and it is easy to make mistakes if you are not sure what to do. That is why we have put together this car accident checklist. This guide will tell you what to do after a car crash in California, and how best to protect your rights.
Follow this checklist and you can come away from a disastrous car accident with hope for the future. You would have protected yourself and your loved ones. If you have been injured in a car accident, please call us at (866) NAPOLIN for a free consultation.
Always Remain Calm after an Auto Accident.
Get Medical Care after an Auto Accident
Stay on the scene and make sure everyone is okay. Check yourself for injuries first, and then check others. If you are a family member responding the the scene, then you should read our blog on Family Members Accident Response Checklist.
Get Yourself and Others To Safety.
If you are severely injured, wait for emergency medical treatment. If possible, move disabled vehicles to the side of the road. Place emergency flashers on to alert other drivers on the road and help prevent further collisions. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Do not move the injured person unless they are in danger.
Call 911 For A Traffic Collision Report.
If you're involved in a collision and believe it's your fault, call the cops to report it. Unless your accident was incredibly minor with no injuries. In which case, you might decide to take care of the scratch without insurance involvement. But if you want to pursue a claim, then Police can document the incident, gather information, and make it part of an official record. This is a tremendous help later when making an insurance claim.
Exchange Information With Other Drivers and Witnesses.
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This includes phone numbers, registration, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Take photos of the vehicles, license plates, and other vital details if possible. These documents are invaluable to identify the parties involved and who is responsible to pay.
A Note About Traffic Collision Reports.
If the police respond to take a traffic collision report, all party and witness information should be in the official report. These reports take anywhere from a week to a month for the police department to generate. If there is a DUI involved, expect longer wait times while criminal investigation is undertaken by the detective assigned by the handling department or government agency. Getting insurance information directly from the parties ASAP is always a good idea in case the traffic collision report is delayed.
Get Medical Care after an Auto Accident.
If it's an emergency, then you need to go to the emergency room. If you can't get into your primary care doctor immediately, then you need to go to the urgent care. If you don't have insurance, then you need to find doctors who will treat you on a lien basis. All of your questions and more can be answered by consulting with an attorney. Do so.
Report the Incident to Your Insurance Carrier.
9 Steps to Success When Injured In A Car Accident
In California, most auto insurance carriers have a time limit for reporting an accident. Call as soon as possible and follow the agent's instructions for reporting your claim. The agent will generate a claim number and provide it to you. They will send you correspondence by mail, email, or both. Keep this information because it's important. You need the claim number whenever you call the insurance company.
A lawyer can make a claim for you as part of the representation. Consulting with a lawyer can save you huge amount of headache. Call one.
Speaking With Insurance Adjusters.
You may receive a phone call from the other party’s insurance company. This could happen the same day of the incident. You are not required to speak to the insurance adjuster of the other party. You should consult with a lawyer first. You may speak to the claims adjuster, but do not give away any more information than is absolutely necessary. Do not record a statement or accept an insurance settlement offer until you speak to an attorney.
Speaking to Your Own Adjuster.
Your insurance policy requires that you cooperate with your own insurance company in their investigation of the incident. If you believe you are at fault, you may need your insurance company to defend your case. You also might have uninsured bodily injury insurance that will pay you in the event the negligent party has no insurance. In certain situations, your own insurance company can become your adversary. Always request not to be recorded. And consult with a personal injury lawyer right away.
Create a file to Keep Important Documents and Information.
Keep accident-related documents together and organized. Your file should include a copy of the police report, medical bills, the other driver’s information, injury treatment plans, and any other documents you’ve collected regarding the incident.
Call Napolin Accident Injury Lawyer at (866) NAPOLIN.
This has been 9 steps to success when injured in a car accident. We offer free consultations, so you can discuss your car crash without risk or obligation. We can determine whether your case has merit, help you talk to insurance companies, and assist you in filing a personal injury claim if necessary.
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