Following a car accident, it's understandable to be a bit overwhelmed. There's the property damage, medical expenses, dealing with insurance companies, and other issues that need attention (and you might not have the time to go through all of this).With decades of experience as personal injury lawyers in Kansas City, we at Popham Law fully understand the frustrating legal process associated with car accidents, especially if your insurance company (or the other party's insurance carrier) is not offering a fair and reasonable settlement to account for your injuries and other damages.If you were just in a car accident, the first thing you should do (after getting the necessary medical attention) is to get a personal injury attorney to represent you through this difficult time. For a free, no-obligation consultation from Popham Law, call our Kansas City law firm today at (816) 221-2288.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Immediately following a car accident, emotions may be high and injuries may be severe. Therefore, if you or a passenger is injured, staying calm and getting the necessary medical attention is the absolute first thing to do. Even if you don't feel injured, head injuries and other injuries may show up later; also, with regards to a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim, getting medical attention can help your case.Below, we've listed some of the most important things you should do after a car accident.
- Stay at the scene. If you are not severely injured and feel like you can "walk away" from the crash, don't. Never leave the accident scene until it is appropriate to do so. If you leave the accident scene, you could be liable for criminal penalties.
- Get medical attention. As mentioned earlier, if you or the other passengers are injured, get medical attention for anyone who needs it.
- Call the police. Whenever there is property damage, injuries, or death, call the police. Also, make sure to ask the police to file a report, and obtain the name and badge numbers of the responding officers.
- Exchange information from all drivers involved. Make sure to get all the information necessary, including:
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Addresses
- Driver's license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Basic insurance information
- Speak to witnesses at the scene. In addition to getting information from drivers, speak with witnesses of the accident and get their information as well.
- Notify your insurance company. Soon after your accident, call your insurance company, and be honest about the accident and the extent of your injuries.
- Document medical attention. Make sure to document doctors, physicians, physical therapists, and other professionals that you receive medical treatment from. Also, track the treatments and any medications that you received. Lastly, ask for copies of medical reports and bills.
What to Not Do After a Car Accident
In addition to knowing what to do after an accident, you should also know some things that could negatively affect a personal injury case.
- Don't apologize after the accident. Even if you didn't cause the accident, it's easy to say sorry and apologize. This is especially true because, after an accident, knowing who exactly was at-fault might not be so clear. However, saying "sorry" could be admitting to legal liability.
- Be wary of talking about the accident. Don't speak about the accident to anyone except your lawyer, your insurance company, and the police. Furthermore, never talk about the accident to the representative of another insurance company without consulting your attorney first.
- Be cautious of early settlement offers. If an insurance company offers an early settlement, you may be tempted to take it. However, make sure that the settlement covers all damages, including the injuries you have now and any possible complications in the future. Some insurance companies attempt to settle at a low amount to reduce a bigger payout (which they may see as a possibility).
Get Leading Representation With Popham Law
Getting in a car wreck can be an unnerving experience, to say the least. However, by taking the proper steps after an accident, you can help mitigate the extent of the damages associated with the accident, medical attention, and more. Get the right steps for filing a personal injury lawsuit by calling the KC car accident attorneys at Popham Law by dialing (816) 221-2288. Free consultations are available.
