What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide
Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic experience, and it can be challenging to know what to do in the aftermath. It is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to protect your rights. This blog will take an in-depth look at the post-car accident process and explain what accident victims should do in order to have the best chance at pursuing maximum compensation.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you should do after being involved in a car accident is to seek medical attention, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so getting checked out soon after the crash is important. Furthermore, seeking medical attention right away will help create evidence of your injuries, which can be used in court if necessary.
While requesting medical services, calling local law enforcement is important. In fact, Colorado law requires it!
Delayed Injuries
Being aware of delayed injuries that can appear days or even weeks after an accident is essential. If you experience any pain, soreness, swelling, tingling, or other symptoms in the days following an accident, you should inform your doctor and make sure that these potential signs of injury are documented. Examples of delayed injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Brain injuries
- Soft tissue damage
Failing to document these delayed injuries can be detrimental to your car accident case if you decide to pursue legal action.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
If possible, gather evidence from the scene of the accident, such as photos and videos of the damage caused by the collision. Additionally, exchange contact information with any witnesses that may have seen what happened. Moreover, make sure you obtain contact information from all involved parties, including driver’s license numbers and insurance information. All this information needs to be documented for future reference.
Do Not Admit Fault or Apologize
Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene of the accident. Insurance companies may look at your admission of fault as a way to pin the entire accident on you, even if the other party shared some of the blame. Apologies, too, can be interpreted as admitting fault, which could hurt your case if you decide to pursue legal action. It is important to remain calm and only discuss the specifics of what happened with an attorney or police officer.
Step 3: Do Not Make a Recorded Statement to Your Insurance Company
As soon as you are able, contact your insurance company about submitting an accident claim. However, be sure to not make any recorded statements until after you have contacted an attorney. Insurance companies are known for contacting accident victims shortly after an accident in order to get a statement.
While this may seem like they are working for you by trying to get back to you as quickly as possible, in many instances they are working against you by trying to catch you while emotions are still running high due to the accident. This is often an attempt to make you admit some form of fault or accept a lesser settlement.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
It is important to contact and talk to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible so that you can protect your rights and ensure that all evidence is collected for your case. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to review the details of your accident and help you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Car accidents can cause serious physical and emotional trauma. By following these steps after being involved in a car accident, you will be better equipped to defend yourself and seek justice against those responsible. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness on the road, contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Boesen Law right away. An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and give you the best chance of recovering full compensation for your damages.
Call us today at for a free consultation.