A List of People to Consult After a Car Accident - AllCarIndex
In cases of car accidents, there are several things you must do. Some will serve your future interests while others are necessary by law. First up on this list is your legal obligation to stop your vehicle whenever there is an accident involving your car. This step is required even in cases where there is no damage inflicted on your vehicle. So, make sure to follow the rule of thumb of stopping your vehicle whenever it collides with anything. You also need to contact some people soon after an accident or within some time. They are as follows.
Call the Police By Dialing 911
In many US states, it is legal to call the police in all collision cases. Police officers will respond to your report, compile an accident report, and ensure that the accident scene is appropriately documented. In case there are no available officers to go to your location, it is wise to visit the nearest police station. You can tell about the incident yourself and put together a report by doing this. It will help you in moving forward with the insurance claim process.
Fix an Appointment With Your Doctor
Not all car accidents require you to visit an emergency room. Nonetheless, calling up your doctor and fixing an appointment is a great idea. Several kinds of injuries don't present themselves immediately after a crash like back injuries or worse still, TBIs or traumatic brain injuries. Moreover, the medical records that your doctor keeps will also serve as critical proof to back up your compensation claims. So, after you call the police or wait for the tow or ride to arrive, Calling your doctor for a checkup soon after is an excellent idea.
Get in Touch With Your Loved Ones
Usually, it takes some time for the police to arrive at an accident site. So, the next thing you want to do after calling your doctor is to call your home. Through phone or text messages, let your near and dear ones know of the crash incident. If you were going to visit a friend or a family member, then let them know too. This little chat will help you stay calm, but they might also furnish you with tips and advice on repair shops, doctors, and lawyers you should contact. You may not be in the physical or mental state to drive yourself, ask your family and friends for a ride to the hospital or back to your home. Before you call, ensure that there isn't anyone around requiring medical attention. Also, ensure that both you as well as your vehicle is out of the way.
Call Your Lawyer
Once you are sure that you are out of harm's way for the moment and have attended your immediate injury treatments, you should call up your lawyer. It will help if they specialize in personal injuries. The experts from BraunsLaw.com suggest that make this call before you call your insurance company. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, the whole task of settling claims and filing lawsuits will become significantly more comfortable. Such lawyers will boost your claim amount from both insurance companies and the party responsible for the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company
After speaking to your lawyer, it's time to get in touch with your insurance firm. You can even ask your lawyer to call them up and start the claim process on your behalf. The insurance coverage varies from one US state to another.
Call Your Car Repair Shop
If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, then in all probability, your car has been damaged as well. So, the last thing to do in the aftermath of a car collision id to call your local car mechanic shop and check for availability. They will help restore the normal functioning of your car and give you an idea of the extent of vehicle damage and their repair cost. You are going to need these repair bills while deciding on your compensation amount.
Surviving a car accident is nothing short of being a victory in itself. An accident is something that can make the most formidable, and most experienced of drivels feel frazzled. Soon after you go through such an experience, remember to contact the people and agencies we mentioned above. Reaching these people will serve to not only free yourself up from needless worries. It is essential not to let the accident experience shock distract you from the business that comes with it. Provided you the things discussed in this article, you will be able to shift your attention to collaborating with your insurance firm. This shift of focus will be helpful for both vehicle repair and compensation for other types of damages.