Bharat SainiLast Updated on January 31, 2023 by Bharat Saini
The number of car accidents in the United States exceeds six million every year. Thankfully, most of them are merely property damage caused to the vehicle rather than the people in the vehicle. One in three accidents result in personal injuries either to the motorist or the passengers, and out of that, two out of accident causes fatal injuries.
The last thing you want to consider when in an accident is what you should do next. But unfortunately, those first steps following an accident can significantly impact the outcome of your insurance claim and medical treatment.
Knowing the three most important things to do after any motor vehicle or other injury-related accident can ensure that your rights and interests are adequately represented in the aftermath. This article will discuss three important things to do right after an accident for dealing with a crash or personal injury incident from start to finish.
Report the accident.
After being in an unfortunate accident, you may be contacted by the insurance company to make a statement regarding what happened. The insurance company will ask for a statement, and it’s essential to remain calm and provide factual information when describing the accident.
This can help ensure accuracy when the insurance company calculates how much the driver should be reimbursed. While it’s common for those involved to feel shaken after an accident, providing a clear and concise explanation of what occurred will ensure that you are taken care of as soon as possible. Remember that your insurance company is there to protect your interests, and they need accurate details in order to do so.
Contact the insurance provider as quickly as you can. Depending on the policy, reporting may need to be made immediately and complete cooperation is expected. Check if you’re eligible for medical benefits that are part of your insurance plan. It is an additional cost to have this kind of insurance – referred to as “med pay” and you should consider using it.
In reality, if you have coverage for med pay, you must pay the insurance company the medical bills incurred in an accident. Med pay insurance is the primary source of medical bills related to accidents. After the med pay benefits run out, private health insurance will become your primary insurance. Med pay benefits are offered to everyone who is a passenger in the vehicle. Insurance rates should stay the same due to making claims for coverage under med pay.
Exchange information.
Information is usually collected by the police officer who is investigating. If the police cannot respond to the incident, you must find the address, name, and number of each person involved in the incident, both passengers and drivers. It is also advisable to obtain details about insurance by requesting insurance documents for all the vehicles involved in the crash.
If witnesses are present, you must receive their contact details from them, too, to ensure either you or an attorney can get in touch with witnesses in the near future. If the police are called to the accident, the investigator typically provides the drivers with a report number.
It is possible to use the number later to get an official police statement. If the accident occurred on a highway that is a state highway, you need to get an official report from the police department of the state.
Protect your rights.
The first thing to do following the accident speaks with your attorney. An attorney will defend your rights and ensure that important evidence isn’t lost. In many cases, insurance companies will want to collect statements right away following an accident.
It is crucial to get legal advice before submitting statements. Your lawyer can provide advice on a variety of issues, from how to ensure that you receive the total amount of compensation for the vehicle you own to ways to ensure that you are receiving the highest quality medical care that is available.
Personal injury lawyers operate on the basis of contingency fees, which means there’s no legal charge unless the lawyer receives compensation for the injuries you sustained.
Bottom Line
Though no one wants to be in an accident, it’s essential to know what to do should the situation arise. Always report the accident and exchange information with all parties involved. Protecting your rights is also crucial in these situations. Following these simple steps can help ensure that you are taken care of both legally and emotionally after an accident.
