6 Essential Steps Personal Injury Victims Must Take After a Car Accident

A car accident can be a harrowing experience that can drastically impact your life for the worst. While incidents like this are never planned, it’s important for us to be prepared with the knowledge of how to handle them, if and when they occur – especially when they are a product of another party’s negligence. Depending on the severity of the accident, an accident can leave victims confused, disoriented, badly injured or even result in an untimely death. Often considered to be the best personal injury lawyer Miami has in practice, Mr. Skinner Louis has been helping accident victims deal with the issues and legal implications that come with a car accident for many years, helping them to not only obtain the justice, but the monetary compensation they deserve! If you’ve been involved in a car accident and suffered a personal injury, as a result of another party’s negligence, knowing what actions to take afterward is crucial for your well-being as well as a potential legal claim to follow. In this article, we will be going over six important steps to take following a car accident.

Prioritize the Safety of Yourself and Your Passengers

Immediately after the accident, it is vital that you prioritize the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others involved – your own passengers and if possible, any individuals that may have been present at the time. If you are physically able, it is vital that you do your best to move to a safe location and turn on hazard lights. If you can, check on the well-being of other parties and call for emergency medical help if needed and if you are unable, try to direct others to do so for you.

Seek Medical Attention

By far the most important thing to make sure of is your own well being and health. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. According to Mr. Louis, considered the best injury lawyer Boynton Beach has in practice, often, many injuries may not manifest immediately, and once the adrenaline wears off you may find yourself in immense pain. In some cases, you may have internal injuries that may not be visible from the outside, and will take some time to present. In addition, all medical records can play a pivotal role in your personal injury claim. A medical professional’s evaluation ensures proper diagnosis and treatment.

Contact the Authorities

Regardless of the accident’s severity, and what the situation behind it might have been, it’s important to report it to the police. According to Mr. Skinner Louis, the best personal injury lawyer Brickell has in practice, having the police on the scene ensures that there will be an unbiased authority figure observing the accident and will be able to give a proper account – especially when you were the victim of another party’s negligence. Their presence will also ensure proper documentation of the incident, including details of the accident scene, involved parties, and any witnesses – this vital documentation and the police report will play a key role in the event you file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party.

Gather Information

The fact is that you will have to contact the other party, whether they feel they were at fault or not is irrelevant at this time. Make sure to exchange contact and insurance information with all parties involved. Collect names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. Mr. Louis, the best personal injury lawyer Miami has to offer, will often advise clients not to make any accusations at this time and to stay completely neutral. Do not apologize, do not make any accusations, and simply conduct yourself as a normal driver would in this situation and allow the factors of the accident to speak for themselves. Also any witnesses on the scene or in the area may be able to assist you in proving the negligence of the other party amongst other things, be sure to gather contact information from any witnesses present as well.

Document the Scene

We’ve all got an iPhone or Android in our pocket these days, so be prepared to use it after your accident! Use your smartphone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene as soon as possible. Any of the best car accident lawyers in Orlando, will tell you to capture images of vehicle damages, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries to yourself, your passengers and others involved. Also be sure to take a video of the other party, their vehicle and anything else you determine to be important. If you are injured, try to alert someone else to do it for you. These visuals can be valuable evidence later on.

Consult a Personal Injury Attorney ASAP!

If you’ve suffered injuries in the accident, consulting a personal injury attorney is a prudent step. Going into any discussion with an insurance company or even the other party, without the guidance of an educated attorney who has dealt with car accident claims before is the biggest mistake you can make! An experienced attorney like Mr. Louis, the best personal injury lawyer Brickell has in practice, can evaluate the circumstances of the accident, assess the extent of your injuries, meditate on your behalf with insurance companies and guide you through the legal process – without making any costly mistakes. Always be advised, after a car accident, insurance companies aren’t your friend and they will be trying to slip and trip you up as much as possible. The best thing you can do is to stay quiet and hire an experienced personal injury attorney, like the team at the Louis Firm! They will assist you every step of the way and ensure you’re able to maximize your compensation and come out of the experience on top! For more information or to schedule a legal consultation with Mr. Skinner Louis and his team, be sure to contact the Louis Firm today.