No matter how much of an effort you make to drive as carefully as possible on the road, sometimes it’s just not possible to get out of being involved in a car accident. Car accidents are something that happen daily, and most drivers will have been involved in at least one. Some car accidents may result in serious injuries. As a driver, hopefully you won’t have to deal with the process of being involved in a car accident – but if you do get into a crash, then knowing what to do afterwards and how to build a strong car accident case is essential.
What to Do After a Car Accident
When you are involved in a car accident, the first and most important thing to do is notice if you or anybody else is hurt. Check in with your body. It’s important to look out for even minor injuries. If you or somebody else who was in your car at the time has any injury, no matter how small, then it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Any car accident should be reported to the correct authorities as soon as possible. The police should investigate the accident – this will help you when it comes to building a strong accident case further down the line. Police can take photos of the scene and the cars involved, along with getting information from and interviewing victims and witnesses who saw the crash happen. You should also take photos of the damage to all the cars involved in the accident and obtain insurance information from anyone involved in the accident.
The Impact of a Car Accident
All it takes is a few seconds for a car accident to happen. However, the impact that the crash has on your life can continue for days, weeks, months, or even years after the incident. At best your car needs to be replaced or repaired, while at worst you could end up with high medical expenses and other bills to pay, while needing to take time off work. In serious cases, a car accident can change your life permanently, for example, if your injuries leave you with a disability.
Building Your Car Accident Claim
Because it can take some time for a car accident claim to go to court and be successful, it’s important to start building your car accident claim as soon as possible. Here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys, we are dedicated to getting the best results for our clients. You can contact us at any point in the process of building your case, but the earlier you get in touch after being involved in a car accident, the sooner we can start helping you build your case while you try and get on with your life. The aftermath of a car accident can be a stressful enough time, so let us take care of things like liaising with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and speaking to witnesses while we offer guidance through the process for you.
When it comes to building a strong car accident case, some things you can do include:
Make Sure to Report the Accident
Ideally, the accident should be reported to the relevant authorities while you are still on the scene, as soon as it happens. However, if you did not report the accident at the time, then you should make sure that the accident is reported to the relevant authorities as soon as possible. A police report is helpful to provide proof that the accident occurred and what happened in the accident.
Document the Scene
After the accident occurs, you should document the scene as much as possible. This could include taking photos of your injuries and damage to your car, for example. Take notes and document what happened in the run up to the accident, make sure that any dash cam footage you have is saved, and get the information for any witnesses on the scene.
Get Medical Attention
It’s important to get medical attention after a car accident even if you feel fine afterwards, or don’t think that you have been seriously injured. This is because after a car accident, the shock can often make you feel better than you actually are and mask any pain you might be in. The sooner you get to see a doctor either by going to the ER or the nearest Urgent Care center, the sooner any injuries you do have can be diagnosed, treated and documented which will strengthen your case.
Gather Evidence
It can take some time for a car accident to go to court, which is why you will need to keep any evidence of the accident that you have safe to use later. This could include any documents of the scene that you created, photographs, police reports, witness contact information and statements, medical records and bills, and more. The more evidence you are able to gather, the stronger your case will be.
Keep a Journal
Being involved in a car accident can affect you more than simply wrecking your car and leaving you needing a visit to the hospital. In some cases, it can have a lengthy impact on your life, particularly if you need to take time off work as a result of the crash or are unable to return to your job due to your injuries. Being involved in a car accident can also lead to mental health struggles, with many people experiencing anxiety around driving afterwards, which can impact your ability to enjoy your life and do the things you’d normally do as a result. Because of this, it can be very helpful to keep a journal of how you are feeling and how the crash is impacting you on a day-to-day basis for as long as is necessary afterwards. This can be shown in court to strengthen your case even further.
If you have been involved in a car accident, here at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys we know how much of an impact it can have on your life. We are here to help all our clients build strong cases, no matter how serious the accident was. Get in touch today at 877-557-4221 to find out more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve for your car accident.
