The National Safety Council estimates that there are over 10 million automobile accidents in the United States annually, meaning that nearly 27,000 accidents happen in our country each and every day. A lot of these car accidents are fortunately minor, but many of them involve injuries and fatalities.
Drivers need to be prepared for a car accident, not only so that they can protect themselves but so that they can protect the ones they love.
What Should You Do Immediately After an Accident?
The first step is to check for injuries. If anyone has been injured, seek medical treatment immediately. Call 9-1-1 and remain at the scene.
The next step is to obtain contact information from:
- The other driver and his/her insurance company
- Any witnesses
- Any law enforcement officers at the scene
The responding officer should fill out a police report, of which you can obtain a copy.
The Days Following the Accident
Some car accident claims can be settled quickly and do not need the expert handling of a personal injury attorney. Others may require more work and will need a more cautious approach.
First, do not participate in any recorded statements. The other drivers’ insurance company will be in contact with you and will request a recorded statement. This recording, while it may seem harmless, can be used to contradict your testimony during legal proceedings later on.
Next, do not sign any medical authorizations. The majority of these authorizations do not define a specific time frame from which they want your medical records, meaning they can delve into your entire medical history and can try to attribute the injuries you received in the collision to an earlier event or complaint.
Lastly, have your vehicle repaired at a reputable body shop you trust. Do not let the other insurance company’s autobody shop repair your car as the quality of any repairs will likely be sub-par.
Seeking Legal Representation
The Redkey Gordon Law Corporation has settled and represented hundreds of personal injury claimants for well over a decade here in California. We pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge of the law and our ability to maximize your financial interests during the most unfortunate of times.
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you can speak to one of our experienced Sutter Creek personal injury attorneys at the Redkey Gordon Law Corporation in a free consultation at (209) 267-1685.