What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Car Accident

A car accident is a stressful situation, but there are things you can do to protect your rights.

Check yourself and the other people involved in the crash for injuries. Even if an injury seems minor at the time, it could become more severe later on. If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on hazard lights or set out emergency flares.

1. Call the Police

A police report can be invaluable in a car accident injury claim. It can also help you get compensation for your losses, including medical bills and lost wages. When speaking with the police, always be truthful about what happened. Do not speculate, guess or misstate facts. If you are unsure of something, say you don’t know rather than answer yes or no. Also, don’t make up things or lie about your injuries.

It is important to exchange information with the other driver and other occupants of vehicles involved in the crash, including names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, make and model and insurance information. It is also a good idea to take pictures with your smartphone, if possible. Taking pictures of damage to vehicles, injuries suffered and weather conditions can all help strengthen your claim for compensation. However, remember that some injuries may not be obvious at the scene, especially if you have sustained a concussion or whiplash.

2. Get Medical Attention

The most important thing to do after a car accident is get medical attention. This is important because some injuries, such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury (TBI), are fatal if not treated in a timely manner. You should go to the Emergency Room for life-threatening or severe injuries and to a physician’s office or an urgent care clinic for less serious injuries. It is also important to follow the doctor’s orders and attend all follow-up appointments and therapy sessions as recommended by your doctor.

Remember, the insurance company for the driver who caused the crash is not on your side and will do everything possible to limit its financial responsibility to you. Make sure that you tell your doctor all of the symptoms and injuries that you are experiencing. Do not guess or exaggerate. This will help protect you in the event of a dispute later on. It will also provide a solid record of your injuries to support your claim in the future.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company

Even though car insurance policies require drivers to notify their insurers of an accident, it is not a good idea to talk to the other driver’s insurance company too soon. It is not uncommon for insurance representatives to use your statements against you during the claim process.

Insurance companies will ask you a series of questions regarding your injuries and the accident itself. They will want to know how much you have lost from medical bills and missed work, your pain and suffering, and any other losses.

Answer only the questions you are asked. If you do not know an answer, politely say that you will have to wait to provide an accurate response until after your treatment is complete. You may also be asked to give a recorded statement. Do not agree to give a recorded statement without first having your attorney’s opinion. Recordings are often used against injured victims in their attempts to lessen or deny a claim for compensation.

4. Contact an Attorney

It is important to call your own insurance company and report the accident as soon as possible. It is also important to collect evidence at the scene if you can do so safely, such as taking photos of the scene and vehicle damage. However, you should never admit fault to anyone at the scene of a car crash, including your own insurer.

It’s also a good idea to contact an attorney, especially after you have seen a doctor. It is common for the at-fault driver and their insurance company to deny your injuries or try to settle with you for less than you deserve. It is often necessary to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in order to get your full compensation for your losses. An experienced injury attorney in Carrolton GA can help you through this process. He or she can also determine if the injury you suffered in the car accident will be permanent and how much future medical expenses you may need to incur as a result.