What Should I Do After an Accident?

Every time you get behind the wheel in California, you’re putting yourself in the hands of all the other drivers around you, which leaves you at risk of being in a car accident. That’s why you may find yourself wondering, what should I do after an accident? With the help of a Santa Ana personal injury attorney, you can get the answers you need.

Ways to Protect Yourself After an Accident

Being prepared is an easy way to protect yourself should something happen on the road. Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you’re dealing with an injury. Whether it’s a minor rear-end incident or a major highway crash, it’s important to know what steps to take to protect yourself and avoid any costly mistakes. Steps you can take after an accident include:

• Check for injuries. It’s important to make sure you, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident are safe and unharmed. It can be challenging to assess your injury levels so soon after a crash, but it’s wise to do a preliminary check to make sure no one is seriously injured.
• Document everything. It’s wise to take as many pictures of the scene as possible for your own records so you can protect yourself down the road. In addition to documenting the damage to your vehicle, it’s wise to take pictures of the other vehicles involved and any other damages.
• Exchange information. At this point, it’s also important to exchange information with whoever else was involved in the accident. This includes name, address, phone number, car make and model, insurance information, and anything else you think may be important. If there are any witnesses to the crash, you can politely ask them for their information, too.
• Move vehicles out of traffic if able. If the vehicles involved in the crash are driveable, it’s in your interest to move them out of the way so you’re not blocking traffic. Try not to move too far from the scene of the accident so police can get the clearest picture of what happened.
• Contact the police and report the accident. After a car accident, be sure to contact the police to report it. Once the police arrive, it’s important to give them a detailed statement and answer all questions for the report. This part of the process will involve providing your driver’s license and insurance information as well as any other information they require. It’s wise to ask for a copy of the police report as well as the names and badge numbers of the officers on the scene for your own records. This way, you can have all your bases covered if problems arise down the road.
• Start the claims process. No matter who was at fault for the accident, it’s wise to file a claim at least with your car insurance company. Filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance is entirely up to you and depends on whether you’re seeking compensation. Regardless, by filing a claim with your insurance company, you will have a record that it happened, and you can work with a representative to go through the claims process.
• Seek medical attention. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may be able to tell right away if you’ve been injured in the crash. Regardless, you should check in with your doctor after a car accident just to be sure everything looks okay. You can expect to be told to rest for at least a couple of days to ensure you don’t notice any delayed injuries after you’ve had time to calm down and process.

Following these steps can not only help ensure you are protected but could be pivotal in future litigation should it become necessary.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Know If You Are Okay After a Car Accident?

A: It can be challenging to assess if you’re injured after an accident, let alone the severity of your injuries. Oftentimes, adrenaline can block pain receptors to protect your body from feeling the pain right after an accident, so you won’t feel your injuries until days later. The only way to be sure you are okay after a car accident is to have a doctor examine you.

Q: Should I File an Insurance Claim if I Am Not at Fault?

A: It’s wise to file a claim with your auto insurance carrier after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Whether it’s an at-fault accident or no-fault accident will determine how the claim is paid, but you should inform your car insurance company of the incident no matter the situation.

Q: How Do Insurance Companies Settle Auto Claims?

A: Insurance companies may settle auto claims through negotiations after the claimant sends a demand letter. It’s wise to be cautious of the company’s first offer as they often try to settle claims in the least expensive way. If you feel their offer does not meet your needs and they are unwilling to renegotiate, you may need to settle matters by filing a claim.

Q: How Long Should You Rest After a Car Accident?

A: The recommended recovery time after a car accident will depend on the severity of the accident and your injuries. If you weren’t seriously hurt in the accident, it’s still wise to rest for at least a couple of days to ensure no soreness or stiffness sets in after the adrenaline wears off.

Santa Ana Personal Injury Attorney

In the wake of a car accident, the last things you want to be dealing with are the legal procedures that follow, especially if you were injured in the incident. By working with a Santa Ana personal injury attorney, you can focus on your recovery while an experienced professional handles the nuances of your case.

Our experienced legal team at Blake & Ayaz has over a century of combined experience helping our clients throughout California, and we’re ready to put our skills to work for you. By having someone on your side who can guide you through the legal process, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re covered no matter the situation. Get in touch with our office to set up a consultation and discuss your options today.