When you are involved in a car accident, there are many things that happen at the site of the accident. There are also a number of things you should do right after it occurs. If it is safe to do so, move your car to the side of the road. Make sure that you and anyone on the vehicle with you are safe and get immediate medical attention if it is necessary. Call the police, even if the other driver does not want to get them involved. It is important to have an official report about the car accident. If you can take pictures of the site and the vehicles engaged in the collision, it is important to do so. However, there are additional things to consider in the aftermath of a car accident.
Should you seek medical attention even if you do not feel injured at the time of the accident?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Many accidents lead to injuries that develop over time. If these injuries are not treated promptly, it can result in long-term damage. A medical evaluation also is important if a negotiated settlement is not possible. It is important to show the progression of the injury from the time of the accident. Your treating physician may have to testify at trial.
How do I know if the accident was the other driver’s fault?
Many times, the exact moments before the accident may not be clearly recalled, but there often is evidence of the other driver’s negligent actions before or after the accident. It is important to write down everything that you remember about the accident, and the time immediately before and after the accident, as soon as possible.
Details about the following may be critical to getting the recovery that you deserve:
- Was the driver going too fast? You may have witnessed the driver weaving in and out of traffic before the accident. If the weather conditions were poor, the driver may have been negligent in not slowing down.
- Did you observe the other driver engaging in aggressive driving? The demeanor of the driver after the accident may support this assertion.
- Did you or any passengers see the other driver texting or using his cell phone? Distracted driving is becoming one of the most common causes of auto accidents. Often, a driver will toss a cell phone out of sight after an accident, but there are ways to discover the truth.
- Did the other driver fail to signal a turn or lane change, stop at a light or stop sign, or otherwise violate traffic laws?
- Was the driver weaving across the road or showing signs of intoxication after the accident? Although there will be tests administered under these circumstances are present, most of the time, your direct account of behavior still is important.
- Did the other vehicle look like it had been maintained in good condition?
Building a case against the other driver requires care and a thorough review of every aspect of the collision.It is also important to remember that the other driver’s insurance company may deny liability initially. This is an insurance company play and should not discourage you about the ultimate outcome of your case.
Protecting your rights and interests after an auto accident depends on getting the right help early in the process. The attorneys at Lundy Law are committed to providing the support and legal expertise that you need to get the compensation that you deserve. We are skilled in gathering evidence in the most effective manner to create a winning case. We also are here to make sure that your goals and needs are being met. We are fighting for you and will not leave you out of the process. To sit down with one of our skilled attorneys and discuss your accident and its devastating aftermath, please call us at 1-800-LundyLaw, or complete our free online consultation form.
