Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic event, even if it is just a fender bender with no injuries and limited damage to vehicles. However, if there are devastating injuries or fatalities involved, you certainly need the representation of an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Before you call your auto accident lawyer there are a few things that you should do as well as some that you should never do. By understanding a few simple points you can get the information you need, call your auto accident lawyer, and then follow his or her advice from that point on.
Safety First
Immediately after the accident make sure that everyone in your vehicle is safe. If anyone is bleeding, seems disoriented or is not conscious you need to call an ambulance. Make the call before you do anything else because these injuries can be difficult to assess unless you are a trained medical professional.
You should also carefully check the traffic situation and then consult with the other drivers and passengers in other cars to ensure that everyone is safe. Do not discuss the accident or admit any fault. You may want to call your auto accident lawyer before making any statements if it appears that there are no visible or serious injuries.
Stay Put
While you may pull out of a lane of traffic do not drive away from the scene of the accident. If you aren’t sure if you should move over, call 911 and report the accident. Even if you have pulled over you should call 911 so there is a record of you reporting the accident. If you haven’t yet done so call and ask your auto accident lawyer to remain on the phone with you or to come to the location of the accident.
Document Everything
Your auto accident lawyer has, by this time, probably told you to collect all the information you can. This includes the other license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions and driver’s license numbers and insurance information. Also obtain the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.
Your auto accident lawyer will usually ask you to take pictures with your phone camera of any damage, the position of the vehicles in the accident and any relevant surrounding areas.
If you have been in a wreck talking to an auto accident lawyer immediately can help you get the information needed for your case.
