The drivers of motor vehicles are responsible for ensuring the safety of other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Unfortunately, studies have shown that individuals who fall under these categories are more likely to be hurt or killed in car accidents. For instance, in the year 2020, car accidents in Philadelphia alone were responsible for the fatal injuries of many pedestrians and bikers.
It is common to feel overwhelmed and uncertain after a motor vehicle accident. However, there are specific steps you can take in the aftermath of an accident that will help to improve your prospects of receiving maximum compensation for your injuries and getting you on the path to recovery. As a result, the following are some pointers that assist anyone in coping with the aftermath of an accident.
1. Check to see that nobody is hurt.
The first thing is to ensure everyone involved is safe. Firstly, exit your vehicle while simultaneously activating the emergency flashers and call 911 immediately if the collision is more severe than a minor fender bender or if anyone is hurt. It will ensure that an ambulance and police officers get to the scene as soon as possible. Of course, you should still call the police, even if the accident were on the severity scale’s lower end. Then, wait at the collision scene until law enforcement officials permit you to leave.
2. Evaluate the situation.
As soon as you have established that everyone’s physical well-being is not in jeopardy, it is time to begin investigating what took place while simultaneously taking steps to safeguard your legal rights. You can follow these steps.
- Take pictures of the damaged automobiles.
- After taking photographs of the scene, you should immediately move the cars.
- Don’t accept responsibility for your actions or apologize for the events, even though it sounds rude.
- Instead, ensure you exchange contact information and car insurance with the other drivers at the scene.
- You will need to gather the information, such as the other driver’s name, address, and phone number, among further pertinent details.
3. Seek out medical treatment.
It is natural to want to avoid the inconvenience of going to the doctor after being in a car accident, especially if it appears that you did not sustain any severe injuries. But you must complete a comprehensive evaluation within a few days following your accident so that the assessment results can be documented. It is usual for persons who are engaged in relatively small accidents not to notice any signs of harm for several days, weeks, or even months following the accident.
4. Find out about automobile insurance coverage.
After an automobile accident, the types of insurance coverage available are determined mainly by who was at blame for the collision and the types of coverage each driver maintained.
Personal injury protection, called PIP coverage, is an option for auto insurance available to drivers in select jurisdictions. This insurance coverage kicks in regardless of who was at fault and helps cover expenses incurred due to medical treatment. Sometimes, it can compensate for lost wages, services, and funeral costs.
5. Make a call to your insurance provider.
After that, you need to go on the phone and report the accident to your insurance carrier. Notify your insurance provider of the accident’s specifics so they can initiate the claim-filing process on your behalf. They may begin the assessment process by dispatching an insurance adjuster to the location.
6. Call an attorney for advice.
Your next call should be to a qualified vehicle accident attorney once you have notified your insurance carrier about the accident and received a claim number. Remember that insurance companies want to pay out the smallest amount possible, and they are not looking out for your best interests in any way. Therefore, hiring a lawyer is the best way to ensure that your interests are guarded effectively.
7. Start compiling records right away.
You still need to keep meticulous records, even if you believe the accident was a straightforward occurrence and the matter is now closed. You never know when a claim will surface or when you will get a call from the attorney representing another driver signaling that a lawsuit is about to be filed against you. Maintaining proper records of the accident is one way to ensure that you have adequate protection.
8. Avoid a fast settlement.
Suppose the other motorist was at fault for the accident. In that case, the other driver’s insurance company may call you and ask you to reach a rapid settlement so that they may pay out less. The insurance company can offer you a quantity of money in exchange for signing a release of any future claims in exchange for the money. Before you sign anything, please wait until a chiropractor and physician thoroughly examine you. Moreover, you should only sign a release once you have discussed the matter with a legal representative to ensure that the settlement is reasonable and just.
9. Get car service.
Your vehicle concerns should wait until you have discussed the matter with a lawyer, your insurance company, and your physicians. Then, be careful to receive estimates for getting the automobile mended as soon as possible.
