When faced with an unexpected situation like a car accident, it can be extremely stressful. Emotions and adrenaline may be running high, and there may be injuries. It’s important to follow these basic steps to ensure you have all necessary information for moving forward:
- Assess Health and Safety: First, check your own health and that of any passengers in your vehicle. If you or anyone else is seriously injured, call 911 immediately or signal for help if you are unable to make the call yourself. If you are able to safely check on others involved beyond your vehicle, determine whether anyone else requires immediately medical attention as well.
- Call the Police: Notify the police, even if the collision seems minor. A police report will provide crucial documentation. Follow any instructions given by the police. Cooperate with their investigation and answer all questions honestly. You may not know the answer to everything, like the extent of your injuries, and that is okay to say.
- Document the Scene: If it is safe and you are able to, exit your vehicle and assess the damage. Check on the driver and occupants of any other vehicles involved. Take photos of the vehicles’ positions, damages, and the surrounding area. Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers, and obtain the names and contact details of any witnesses. Do not discuss liability or the status of your injuries, as these statements can be used later, and it is probably still too early to know the extent of any injuries. If it is unsafe to exit your vehicle, move your vehicle off the roadway if possible and wait for the police to arrive for further instruction.
- Consult an Attorney Before Speaking to Insurance Companies: Before discussing details with any insurance company, including your own, consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Anything you say to an insurance company will be documented and could potentially be used against you. For a free consultation, call Spencer Injury Law at (425) 300-1955 to discuss your situation.
For a more detailed look at your legal options after an accident, see our complete guide.
