According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), there were 26,978 motor vehicle collisions throughout 2017, 3,668 of which resulted in injuries or fatalities. Every driver must know what steps to take after a car accident. Taking the right steps can help ensure you are appropriately compensated for your injuries and other losses associated with the accident. Of course, the aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming, so consider printing this and storing it in your glove compartment.
What Happens Next
After a car accident, there are specific steps that must be taken to ensure the success of a personal injury claim. If your claim is unsuccessful, you risk having to shoulder the financial burden of the expenses you will face, including medical expenses, missed wages, and more.
Here are some key steps you should take after a car accident:
- Find out if anyone is injured: Before you do anything else, check on everyone involved to see if they are okay. If necessary, call for emergency medical assistance.
- Call 911: Regardless if anyone is severely injured, you should still contact the police. Doing so is required when there is substantial property damage, death, or severe injuries. Even if the accident is minor, your insurance company will want a copy of the police report.
- Obtain the other driver’s information: You and the other driver or drivers involved should exchange information, including full names, phone numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, drivers’ license numbers, and insurance information.
- Speak to witnesses at the scene: If anyone watched the accident occur, ask them what they saw and obtain their contact information as well. You will need it to contact them later to support your personal injury claim.
- Take pictures: Taking pictures of the scene of an accident used to be far more challenging before cellphones became so ubiquitous. Nowadays, most of us can take pictures at any given time, so take out your cellphone and begin documenting the scene of the accident. Take pictures of the damage done to the vehicles involved, skid marks on the road, the street where it occurred, and any visible injuries. The more pictures you take, the better.
- Call your insurance company: You must contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform them of the accident. Do not lie to your insurance company about any of the details or they might deny coverage for the accident.
- Seek medical attention: You should go to the hospital even if you do not believe you are injured. Not all injuries produce immediate side effects, so it is important to get checked out instead of assuming you are not injured. Not only is this crucial for your wellbeing, but it will also help support your personal injury claim.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today!
At Clawson & Clawson, LLP, our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys have over a century’s worth of combined legal experience and a history of success. If you were injured in a car accident, reach out to our law firm for the exceptional legal services you deserve.
Call us today at (719) 602-5888 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.