Being in a car crash is an incredibly overwhelming experience. You’re probably feeling a combination of stress, pain, anger, and maybe even a little hyperactivity due to the rush of adrenaline that happens during an accident.
“Although it can be hard to remain calm and collected, you must do your best and complete a series of essential steps while you are still on the scene,” says Midlothian car crash lawyer C. James Williams III, principal at Virginia personal injury law firm Burnett & Williams. “This will help prepare you to get a fair settlement or verdict for your personal injury case.”
Steps to take after a car crash to give you the best chance of a successful personal injury settlement
The first thing to do after getting into a car accident is to make sure everyone involved in the accident is safe. Ask the other driver if they are able to move and if they need an ambulance. If it is safe to do so and your vehicles are operable, move out of active traffic lanes to prevent any further hazards from obstructing traffic. “Of course, this is not always possible — minor fender benders will be able to move to the shoulder, while victims of major collisions may not have that luxury,” explains Williams.
The next step is to contact 911. Even if the damage seems minor and the injuries are minimal, it is still essential to have the police respond to the scene to fill out an accident report. A police report serves as an official record of what occurred during and immediately following the accident. The police will collect driver and witness statements, any relevant parties’ personal and contact information, and an official account of damages. Of course, your attorneys and the insurance companies will expand upon these findings with their own investigations, but this provides a great starting point.
If you are physically and safely able to do so, it is vital to take photos of the scene and the damage to your vehicles. “Do not take the risk of injuring yourself further to get photos,” says Williams. “However, if you can get early photos at the scene of the accident, it can go a long way in establishing the narrative of the accident.”
If you have pressing or potentially life-threatening injuries, call an ambulance and go to the emergency room right away. Even if you seem to have only minor injuries or no injuries at all, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. Certain injuries, such as whiplash or concussions, are not outwardly visible to the human eye and can only be diagnosed by a trained medical professional with the proper equipment or procedures. Additionally, your rush of adrenaline after an accident may mask symptoms of pain from an injury, which is why it is crucial to seek proper medical care.
Finally, it is critical to contact a personal injury attorney to represent you in your case as soon as possible. Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, and while it varies state by state, in many jurisdictions — including Virginia — victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, it is important not to wait until the end of your statute of limitations to contact legal representation. If you attempt to negotiate with the insurance companies on your own, they may try to pressure you into a legally binding settlement for less than you deserve for the damages you have suffered.
When you hire a skilled car accident attorney to handle your motor vehicle accident claim, it can allow your case to go much more smoothly and perhaps even get you more money in a fair settlement. Experienced trial attorneys have a reputation in and out of the courtroom, so the insurance adjusters may be afraid of going to war with them at trial. Furthermore, because your lawyer handles all negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf, it’s one less thing you have to worry about while trying to recover and rebuild your life.
Burnett & Williams are the best Midlothian car accident lawyers in Virginia
If this all sounds a bit overwhelming, that’s because it is. However, taking these steps after an accident can make or break your success in getting a fair settlement for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and other expenses from your or a loved one’s injury or wrongful death due to someone else’s negligence.
“If you have been involved in an auto accident in Midlothian or throughout Virginia, contact us today,” concludes Williams. “We will provide a free consultation to determine if we are the right car accident lawyers to get what you deserve.”