What to Do if You’ve Been in an Auto Accident
One thing that all individuals involved in an auto accident experience is the confusion associated with the immediate aftermath of the crash. Those individuals who are injured seriously obviously are often incapacitated, but those who are only marginally impacted will still need to have the ability to think and act relatively clearly. There are some specific actions that a party to an auto accident should always follow right after the accident settles, with some acts being common sense and legal requirement, while others may not be so obvious. There are also some distinct laws that impact how individuals should act after an accident as well, including calling authorities and evaluating the physical conditions and injuries of all parties. It is always a good decision to know prior to an accident what immediate steps you will immediately take if being a party to an accident of any kind.
Look for Injured Passengers
Depending on the seriousness of an accident, it is always important to evaluate how many vehicles and passengers were impacted. For vehicles, this is usually very apparent, but it is difficult to tell how many passengers are in any vehicle without close inspection. This can be a harrowing experience for many who are in an accident and not rendered immobile by injury, but it very important to assess the scene first for injured passengers whose life may be in danger. Assisting an injured victim may be necessary sometimes, but sometimes this cannot be done. Lastly, never move a vehicle unless someone is in grave danger.
Call the Authorities
This should always be done unless an accident does not necessarily result in serious injury. In some cases, like a simple fender-bender with another car, all that is necessary is exchanging insurance and personal information with the other driver and reporting the accident to the police later. However, this is never a good practice when someone suffers a significant injury because injuries can manifest later, especially if they result in internal injury, and seeking medical attention immediately is imperative for all injured parties. This is actually a law. Calling the authorities establishes a time line as well as an official investigation as to what transpired causing the accident, which will be crucial when personal injury settlements are calculated.
Seek Medical Treatment Promptly
Passengers who are injured badly enough to need an ambulance will be transported by first responders to the nearest medical facility in most situations, unless the accident is particularly bad with multiple injured parties who may be in peril for their life. Those who are moderately injured should also seek medical evaluation as soon as possible, because time matters in all auto accident cases, and the documentation generated can establish a valid claim for those who may not be as severely injured. Injuries can worsen quickly and having a quick medical evaluation is very important to both your health and potential claim for damages.
Secure an Official Accident Report and All Medical Documentation
Securing an official accident report from the police department of jurisdiction can help your potential auto accident attorney when evaluating your claim value based on what the accident reconstruction officials determined according to the record. Your attorney can then conduct his own investigation in developing a claim plan that can result in a maximum settlement based on insurance information and potential reduction of your personal comparative negligence assessment by the official court record.
Consult with an Auto Accident Attorney
Sometimes it is necessary to contact an accident attorney immediately following a crash, especially when serious injury or death is a result. All accidents that result in fatalities could very well be wrongful death claims when all material case factors are applied in the damage assessment process. The sooner your attorney can start, the more evidence that will still be fresh enough to be considered. Waiting to contact an attorney is rarely a good decision because evidence evaporates quickly following a wreck and your attorney will be at a disadvantage with respect to insurance company adjusters who evaluate the crash for potential settlement reductions right after the wreck.
It is always good to be prepared in case of an accident when you are on the highways. Clear heads must prevail quickly in many situations and it is usually the driver who is prepared. Always remember to call an auto attorney. Anyone who has been involved in an accident in the Las Vegas area should call the legal professionals at Ahlander Injury Law for a full and free evaluation of your potential auto accident claim value.
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