After you’ve been in a car accident, your adrenaline is probably high, and you may forget all of the steps you’re supposed to take. If you ever find yourself in that situation, consider taking the following steps.
1. Call the police
Anytime you’re involved in a car accident, it’s wise to call the police. This way, an official police report is made and there is documentation of what occurred. It becomes even more important if you believe that you weren’t at fault for the accident. The police report might state that the other car was at fault, and it will describe the scene of the accident, which can help prove that the crash wasn’t your fault. Obviously before you do anything at all, make sure you’re in a safe place and not in any danger of being hit by other cars.
2. Take photos
Another important step you can take if you’re wondering what to do after a car accident that was not your fault is to take photos of everything around you. This includes your car, any damages you see, photos of anyone else’s car that was involved in the accident, and the overall scene of where the accident took place. It’s also a good idea to take photos of any physical injuries you have. Personal injury cases rely heavily on what type of injuries you received, so the more photos you have, the better.
3. Seek medical attention
If you feel like you need to see a doctor, you should do so immediately. Even if you don’t have visible injuries, it’s still a good idea to get examined. Many injuries that people receive when they are involved in a car accident can be internal, so having testing or imaging done to ensure that you’re okay is a good idea.
4. Don’t say anything to anyone
It can be tempting to talk to people who were involved in the accident or who witnessed it. While it’s okay to get contact information from anyone who is available, it’s never a good idea to talk about the actual accident or admit fault in any way. Anything you say at the scene of the accident has the potential to be used against you in court. By speaking to someone other than a lawyer about your accident, you’d likely be making your case more difficult than it needs to be. If you don’t know what to do after a car accident that was not your fault, just keep quiet and wait for professional help.
5. Contact a lawyer
Finally, one of the most important things you can do after a car accident is to contact a lawyer. They can help you determine who was at fault and if you have a viable claim or not. If they believe that you have a valid claim, they can help you with the next steps and take care of initiating everything for you.