When a car accident occurs on private property, it is crucial accident victims know the steps they should take to ensure their legal rights are protected from the very beginning. If this has happened to you, you know how important it will be for you to receive compensation to cover your medical bills and lost income. To get your case off to a good start and have it resolved to your benefit, always do the following after your car accident.
Say Very Little
Immediately after your accident, you will have plenty of people wanting to speak with you. From police at the scene to insurance company representatives days later, everyone will want to know details about your accident. However, it is best to say very little until you have hired an attorney. Should you say something such as “I’m fine” or “I’m sorry” to the police or others, you may sound as if you are not injured or have admitted fault for the accident.
Document the Accident
If able to do so, document your accident by taking as many pictures as you can. Therefore, use your smartphone to document damage sustained by your vehicle and others, any property damaged at the scene, visible injuries you or others sustained, skid marks on the road, and anything else that may be important. Once you have these pictures, show them to your personal injury attorney and discuss your case in more detail.
Accept Medical Treatment
No matter the accident, always accept medical treatment from rescue personnel at the scene. In many car accidents, injuries from receiving blows to the head or other parts of your body may not show symptoms for hours. Thus, if you don’t get prompt medical treatment, you are putting your health at risk. In addition, not getting immediate medical treatment will allow the insurance company to claim you suffered no serious injuries in the accident, and thus will try to deny you the compensation you deserve.
File an Accident Report
Calling the police to the scene of your accident will initiate the filing of an accident report. In this report, police often make an early determination of which driver may have been responsible for the accident. Since this can be important to your lawsuit, obtain a copy of this report and hand it over to your attorney.
By knowing what steps to take and what to do or not do along the way, your legal rights are protected and you stand to gain the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Author information: Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.
