What should I do after a car accident?

What should I do after I get into a car accident?

If you get into an accident, remember these three steps: call the police and/or emergency responders, take pictures and video evidence of the scene, and get witness information.

1. Call the police.

The first thing you should do is call the police, even if it’s a minor accident. If one of the other parties involved says you shouldn’t call the police, that’s even more reason for you to call.

2. Take pictures and video evidence.

The second thing you should do is take pictures of all the cars that were involved, take pictures of the roadway where the accident happened, and anything else you can think of. 

For a list of things to photograph or record, here’s a good list to reference:

• Your car and any damages
• The other party’s car and any damages to their vehicle
• Anything that was damaged inside your car (you may be able to seek compensation for economic damages)
• Location details (are there any traffic cams or security cameras nearby?)
• Weather conditions
• Witness contact information and reports

3. Get witness information.

The third thing you should do is get information on any person that stops for the accident. A lot of times the police aren’t able to get witness information, or the witnesses are gone by the time the police arrive at the scene. So, be sure to get names and contact information from anyone that stops, or anyone that claims to have seen the accident.  

What do you do in a hit-and-run situation?

Just like an accident, call the police, and then get as much information at the scene as possible. This list extends from the list of things to photograph or record by adding information such as license plate information you may have seen, vehicle information (make, model, color, and distinguishing features), and more. Visit our blog on What To Do After A Hit-And-Run for more tips and resources.

What not to do after a car accident

Do not post on social media, do not sign any medical releases right away, and do not stop your medical care after you’ve been injured in an accident. If you are involved in an accident, there are various steps that you need to take to recover compensation for your losses. However, there are also various things that you should absolutely never do. Visit our blog for more information about what not to do after a car accident if you want to recover maximum compensation.

Who you hire matters- A LOT

If you have any questions or if you or a loved on is in need of legal advice, please don’t hesitate to call Fucelli & Lee personal injury law firm at 303-355-7202, or contact us online.