I've been in a car accident. Now what?

Immediately after the accident:

Immediately following a car accident, if the vehicles are drive-able and it is safe to do so, you should remove them from any traffic they are blocking. You should not, under any circumstances, leave the general area of the accident; however, because you may be charged with a hit and run or with leaving the scene of an accident. 

Even if the accident occurred on private property, you will likely want to contact law enforcement. This will ensure that a report documenting what happened is created, which is useful if litigation will follow your accident. 

If you or the other people involved in the accident are injured, you should call for emergency medical services. 

Make sure you have your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration available to show the law enforcement officers who arrive on scene and exchange that information with the driver(s) of the other vehicle.

Also, take pictures and document the damage to all vehicles involved in the accident, as well as the scene, if it is safe to do so. Law enforcement will usually not do this and this information is incredibly helpful in resolving any property damage or injury claims resulting from the accident. 

If you are visibly injured, you should also photograph those injuries immediately and as the injury progresses or heals. 

Call your insurance company and the insurance company for the other driver(s) involved in the accident and report it.

After the initial report:

If you need additional medical treatment, you should follow-up with a doctor as soon as possible. If you do not have a general practitioner, visit your local urgent care or ER. Make sure you then follow the instructions they give you regarding medication, follow-up treatment with your own physician, or referrals to other physicians.

If your injuries are soft-tissue, you may want to follow-up with a chiropractor who can assist in easing those injuries and get you back on your fee more quickly. A good chiropractor can also help you to locate another doctor if your injuries are more severe than you originally suspected and ensure that you get the right treatment for your injuries.

If you have been in an accident and suffered injuries, we would love to discuss your options for resolution with you.

Sometimes it can be difficult to negotiate with your insurance company (or the other driver(s)) on your own behalf. If you or a loved one has been in an accident and you’re not sure what to do next, give us a call at (318) 459-9111 to set up a consult.