What to Do After a Car Accident?
The likelihood that you will be involved in a car accident at some point in your life is extremely high! In fact, data from the car insurance industry estimates that you will be in a car crash about once every 17.9 years. So, if you are 34 years old and got your license at 16, you should consider yourself fortunate if you have yet to be involved in a collision.
The odd truth about the high probability of getting into a motor vehicle accident, is that most people are not prepared, or aware of, what they should do after an accident occurs. What is worse is that if you are injured, you are forced to cope with the physical pain, and, at the same time, deal with the stress of medical bills, and consequences associated with possibly being unable to work.
What are the first steps you should do after being in a car accident?
- Initially, at the scene of the accident, you should follow the steps detailed by the Insurance Information Institute. This includes contacting 911 if you or anyone else has been seriously injured. It also details gathering evidence. e.g., Taking pictures, obtaining the names and insurance details of the drivers of any other vehicles involved in the accident, talking to eyewitnesses and collecting any pertinent information relevant to the accident and its possible cause.
- Next, after you have contacted your insurance company to report the accident, it is up to you to decide if you want to contact a personal injury attorney.
The nice thing about contacting a knowledgeable personal injury attorney that specializes in motor vehicle accidents is that they can discuss with you your legal options, offer recommendations for your specific situation and give you advise on how to proceed with contacting the insurance company of the vehicle at fault to set up a claim. You are never obligated to retain them during the initial consultation. Also, nearly all car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that if you do decide to use them, you pay no attorney fees unless they recover a monetary reward for the case. It is a lawyer’s job to fight for you.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Car Accident Lawyers serving Virginia, Maryland, & Washington, D.C.
If you are ever involved in a car accident, you do not have to face this alone. Let the experienced and caring team at Hilton & Somer fight to get you the maximum compensation for all your losses. All car accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call now: (703) 560-0700 .
References for, “What to Do After a Car Accident?”:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/moneybuilder/2011/07/27/how-many-times-will-you-crash-your-car/
https://www.iii.org/article/scene-accident
https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/auto-accident/attorney-car-accident-case.html
