What Should I Do Immediately Following a Car Accident?
Being involved in a car accident or vehicle collision of any kind is a stressful event. It can lead to feeling disoriented, confused, overwhelmed, and uncertain about how to continue. That’s a normal response. However, there are actions that will help you deal with the current situation and will help set you up in the future for recovering compensation for your injuries. Read on to find out what steps to take immediately after a North Carolina car accident.
- Pull over and move to a safe place: First things first. You don’t want to block traffic, so if it’s possible, pull over to the side of the road, where it’s safe. However, don’t leave the scene. North Carolina law requires you to stop after an accident, and you could be looking at criminal charges if you don’t.
- Check to see if anyone is hurt: Make sure that everyone on the scene is fine. If there is someone who does appear to be hurt, don’t move them unless they are in immediate danger, such as if their car is on fire. Call 911 for an ambulance request.
- Contact the police: While North Carolina law doesn’t require you to report accidents without bodily injury or significant property damage, you should still probably call them even if it doesn’t seem like there’s anyone hurt at the time. Later, it might be difficult to estimate all the damages after an accident. The accident report may prove to be important even if damages after the collision are settled without the involvement of the insurance companies. Keep in mind that in unusual circumstances (weather conditions or other issues), that the police may not be able to come to the scene. If law enforcement can’t file a police report, you may have to do it; so, pay attention to the scene.
- Exchange relevant information with the other parties and any witnesses: You should get their full names and contact information (address, phone number).
- Assess and document the scene: Talk with any witnesses and take down their statements about what happened. Take pictures of the scene and write notes of how everything happened. Don’t talk to insurance adjusters if they are on the scene.
- Get medical attention: If you’re feeling any pain or discomfort, seek medical help. Even if you’re not, it’s still a good idea to check in with a doctor later because some symptoms of injuries don’t show up until much later after the accident.
- Contact both insurance companies: Not reporting the accident to your insurance company can be a problem later if you want to file a claim. When you contact them to report the accident, also inquire about medical payment coverage. Also, contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company to report the claim. If the other driver doesn’t report, you might have problems receiving compensation down the line.
Contact North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
Understanding what to do after a car accident can help you lay the groundwork for getting compensation for your injuries. Another significant step to take is to contact an experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer. A Tatum & Atkinson lawyer understands your position and can guide you through all of your legal options, help you feel better faster and get paid the most money possible. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain for calling up now and our no win/no fee approach means nothing out of your pocket! Contact us today to get started.
