No one can be prepared to be involved in a car accident, but if the worst happens and you find yourself involved in a car accident, it helps to know what steps to take after the accident occurs to protect you and your rights. Each year, there are over six million car accidents in the United States. In 2008, in San Bernardino County alone there were 8,504 vehicular accidents with two hundred and sixty-three fatalities according to the California Highway Patrol. These statistics tell us that despite adhering to all safety precautions, there is a good chance that you may be involved in a car accident at some point in your life. While you can’t do anything to change an accident that has already happened, there are things that you can – and should – do after the fact to help protect you and your rights, says San Bernardino car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates.
1. Get evaluated by a medical professional. Many people think that they did not suffer any injuries in a car accident only to wake up the next day in severe pain or worse. It is always best to be checked out immediately following a car accident for hidden injuries to prevent long term problems. It is also important form the standard of any claim you may have against the at fault driver. Your car accident attorney will have to prove that any injuries you have are related to the accident itself so the closer in time that you are evaluated and diagnosed the easier it is to show that the accident was the cause of the injuries.
2. Get names and contact information from the other driver as well as any witnesses present at the scene. You may think that a police report will have all of that information; however police reports frequently lack complete information on witnesses in particular.
3. Call the police. You may feel that the accident was just a minor fender bender; however a police report can be an invaluable tool if you ultimately file a claim against the negligent driver for injuries sustained in the accident.
4. Take photos. When you are able, take photos of your vehicle, the scene of the accident and any injuries that you suffered.
5. Get estimates. If your vehicle was damages in the car accident, get at least two estimates to repair your vehicle. You may think hat you have to accept the amount that the other drivers’ insurance company offers you to repair your vehicle but that is not always the case.
6. Document your time off of work. As your employer for a letter showing how many days/hours you have missed from work as a result of the car accident. This can include time spent going to doctor’s appointments, getting your car repaired or just recuperating.
7. Document your pain and suffering. It may seem like a lot of work, but start a journal or diary and keep track of your recovery process. Makes notes about how you feel and what limitations you have as a result of injuries you received. This can be an invaluable tool for your car accident attorney when he attempts to value your pain and suffering in your car accident case says San Bernardino car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates.
If you have been involved in a car accident and would like a free detailed evaluation by San Bernardino car accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, please contact his office at 1-800-300-0001 or through his website at www.ledgerlaw.com
