Something you may be involved with at some point in your life is a serious car accident. In certain cases, the accident itself may have been caused by another party. As a result of the accident, you could have serious losses. You may have been seriously injured and had your car destroyed. As such, you must act if you want to make sure you get what you’re owed after a major car accident.
Contact the Police
One of the first things that should be done after a serious accident is to contact the police. After doing so, an officer will respond to the scene of the accident. That police officer will then interview both drivers and any other witnesses. He will observe the scene of the accident and both cars and then later draft a report. Being able to access that report is important for gaining compensation, as it will present the views of a non-biased authority.
Contact Your Auto Insurance Company
You must also contact your auto insurance carrier to report the accident. Doing so is vitally important for your claim to be approved. If you wait too long to do so, your insurance company may find that fact troubling and may try to dispute your claim. Certain companies, like Gator Insurance Service, know that part of this process should also be exchanging insurance information with the other driver. Both of your insurance companies may be involved in paying for the damage.
Go to the Doctor
If you were injured in the crash, you should go to a doctor immediately. If the injuries are serious, you should call 9-1-1 to request EMTs to arrive at the scene to provide emergency medical care and take you to the hospital. Regardless, you must receive some kind of medical care for your injuries if you wish to be compensated for them. Documentation regarding your care is vital to proving you were injured by the crash.
Go to a Lawyer
If your injuries and losses from the crash were especially serious, you may want to discuss your options for launching a lawsuit with an attorney. Seek out an attorney with experience with similar car accident cases. You will need a specialist familiar with both the relevant case law as well as the court system in your local jurisdiction to succeed.
Car accidents can be terrifying. They can also lead to serious injuries and financial losses that can absolutely throw a person’s life into peril. If you want to get the money you are owed for such an accident, make sure to contact the police and your insurance company and then go to the doctor and a lawyer if necessary.
Author information: Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.
