Over 6 million auto accidents occur annually in the United States, resulting in injuries to more than 3 million people and considerable property damage. If you are involved in an auto accident, take the following steps to ensure your wellbeing and protect your rights:
- If you are able, turn on
your vehicle’s fourway flashers and set up flares if available to give a heads-up to other drivers. Leave your vehicle where it is, unless it’s causing a dangerous situation. If you aren’t injured and can safely move it off the roadway, go ahead. - Call the police, even if there seemingly aren’t any serious injuries. A police report may be necessary to file a claim with your insurance company.
- Do your best to give the investigating officer accurate information. However, do not speculate, guess, or assume.
- Take cell-phone photos of damage and/or injuries.
- Exchange names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information with the other driver(s) and passengers. If police respond to the scene, they will collect this information for you. Obtain basic information from witnesses (if any) to bolster a potential claim.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident as quickly as possible.
- Seek immediate medical attention, and tell your physician everything about the accident. In many cases, injuries might not crop up for days or even weeks. Even minor impacts can cause serious and sometimes permanent injuries.
Possibly the most important thing you can do following an accident is contact an auto accident attorney. An attorney will protect your rights, prevent valuable evidence from being destroyed, and help you receive fair compensation for damages and injuries.
Get Help From Car Accident Lawyer Jason Schultz
At The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, our attorneys are experts in the field of car accidents and auto injury. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case. Call us at 404-474-0804.