What Steps Do You Need to Take After a Car Accident?

Buffalo car accident lawyer James Morris explains what to do

If you’ve been injured in a crash, let a Buffalo car accident lawyer stand by your side and guide you through the entire process so that you can get the compensation you need and deserve. The Law Offices of James Morris has recovered millions for personal injury victims in Buffalo and throughout western New York. See what an experienced Buffalo car accident attorney can do for you. Contact us today for your free case evaluation. *Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

A car crash can be a confusing and traumatic experience, which is why you should know what to do after a car accident before you actually get into one. Knowing how to handle yourself at the crash scene can be beneficial to your claim and put you in a position to recover maximum compensation.

Not sure if you have a case? Want to know how much your claim might be worth? Find out during your free consultation. Buffalo car accident lawyer James Morris can meet with you, answer your questions, discuss your legal options, and give you honest advice on what to do next. Let the Law Office of James Morris fight for you – and get real results.

I was in a car accident, what do I do next?

If you get in a car accident, try to breathe and remain calm. After that, you should:

1. Assess the situation – Are you or any of your passengers in need of immediate medical attention? If yes, then call 911 right away to request an ambulance. If you don’t need emergency medical care, check on everyone else involved in the accident to see if they’ve been injured and need an ambulance. Do not try to move anyone who has been injured unless you’ve been trained to do so, or they are in impending danger.
2. Avoid another crash – If it’s safe to do so, pull your car off to the side of the road to get out of harm’s way and avoid another collision. Activate your hazard lights and put down warning triangles or road flares to make yourself more visible and alert other drivers there’s been a car accident.
3. Keep your comments to yourself – Getting into a car accident can be upsetting, but it’s critical that you don’t discuss the crash with anyone else or argue about who’s at fault. Anything you say could be used against you to challenge or deny your claim. Even saying something as harmless as “I’m sorry” could be viewed as admitting fault.
4. Call the police – Let the dispatcher know you’ve been involved in a car accident and where you’re located. Remain at the scene until medical assistance, the Buffalo Police, the New York State Police, or your local police arrive. When police arrive, answer their questions and give them the facts of the accident. Before police leave the crash scene, ask how you can obtain a copy of the police report.
5. Take a lot of photos – Be sure to take detailed pictures and/or video of the crash scene from many different angles. Include all visible property damage and injuries, tire marks, street signs, road markings, traffic lights, construction hazards, and anything else that’s relevant to your accident. The more pictures, the better.
6. Find eyewitnesses – If anyone saw your accident, don’t forget to get their names and contact information. A written witness statement can be a valuable piece of evidence and may tilt the balance of your claim in your favor.
7. Take detailed notes – While it’s all still fresh in your mind, write down everything you can remember about the car accident. Include when, where, and how the crash happened, weather conditions, what you saw, what you heard, and anything noteworthy the other driver said or did after the accident. Refrain from posting anything about your car accident online, especially social media. Anything you post about your crash can be used against you to challenge or deny your claim.
8. Seek medical attention – Even though you might not feel injured, it’s critical to get checked out by a doctor within 24 hours of your crash. You may have serious and potentially life-threatening injuries and not even realize it. Go to a local hospital like Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, an urgent care center, or your primary care physician. Follow your doctor’s orders for treatment, document your visits, and attend all follow-up appointments.
9. Contact a car accident lawyer – Before you notify your insurance company that you’ve been involved in a crash, you should at least consider talking to a car accident lawyer to go over your rights and discuss your legal options. Having an experienced attorney by your side from the very beginning can give you an advantage. From investigating your crash to dealing with the insurance company, a car accident lawyer can handle every aspect of your claim and get you the compensation you’re entitled to.
10. Notify your insurance company – Tell your insurance company you were in a car accident, but don’t go into too much detail and do not say anything that could be misinterpreted as admitting fault. Stick to the facts. If the insurance adjuster presses you for more information or wants you to give a recorded statement, kindly decline and refer them to your car accident attorney. We’ll handle the rest.

Whether you were involved in a car accident with another motorist or got hit by a car as a pedestrian while you were trying to cross the street, knowing what to do after you’re involved a car accident is valuable information. Remember, the stronger your case the better chance you have at getting the compensation you’re entitled to.

Let a Buffalo car accident lawyer lead the way

Maybe you sustained whiplash in a car accident after being rear-ended by another driver. It could be that you were seriously hurt when you were hit by a car while trying to cross the street. Or you may have suffered a traumatic brain injury after you got hit by a car while riding your bicycle.

Buffalo car accident lawyer James Morris has the knowledge, experience, and resources to handle a wide variety of claims and get you the compensation you deserve. Find out how the Law Offices of James Morris can help you. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.