In 2014, 2.3 million people were injured in auto accidents. When accident happens, it is sudden and without warning. At first, you will be scared and unsure of what to do next. The accident law firm Newport Beach would ask you to try to stay calm and follow these steps to make your traumatic experience a little easier.
Stay on the scene and call the police
Call the police after an accident and an ambulance, if necessary. Even if you are just “shaken up”, you don’t know if your injuries are more severe than they appear. Symptoms of whiplash usually do not appear until the next day.
Never leave the scene of an accident. You could be charged with a hit and run, which is a criminal offense. The consequences could land you behind bars depending on the severity of the accident.
Just the Facts, Ma’am
Stay calm and relay only the facts to the police. Even if you feel that you caused the accident, don’t admit this, stick to the facts. Your emotional state may compromise your ability to think clearly.
Write It Down
Not only will the police and the insurance agent need information, but your Newport Beach accident attorney will need these details to help recover your loses. If there were several vehicles in the accident, make sure to get all of their names, addresses, numbers, and emails. Don’t forget to jot down the vehicle’s make, model, year, license plate number, and ask for the insurance information.
Take Pictures
Everyone has a cell phone with a camera. Take photos of your car’s damage and the damage to the other vehicles involved. If others become irate, begin to act erratically, or just leave the scene, it may be prudent to capture video of this behavior for your lawyers to see how uncooperative the other parties were.
Notify Your Insurance Company
It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to get started on processing your claim for car damages and any injuries you may have suffered. Only share the details of the event and avoid speculations.
Medical Treatment
Seek medical treatment immediately. A Newport Beach accident attorney will tell you that your injuries should be documented as a part of a lawsuit. Keep records of all of your doctor visits and medical bills. Put this information in a file along with documents that show which medical care the insurance paid for and which care was denied.
Protect Your Rights
Contact the professional services of the accident law firm Newport Beach and ask for help after an accident. Don’t be left holding a bag of bills. The Accident Law Firm can help you reclaim damages that belong to you.
