What to Do In A Crash: A Step By Step Guide

Being in a car wreck can cause a lot of stress to those involved. With the appropriate guidance and knowledge, many minor car wrecks can be resolved without challenges and without all the stress. If the injuries are serious, further actions are needed to resolve, but it can still be done in a way that ensures that you’re properly taken care of. This article is intended to provide you with the necessary steps to take to protect your rights to compensation and to help with resolving your case.

Step One: Stay Calm

The moment after experiencing a car wreck can be the most stressful, but also the most important. If this happens to you, pull over to a safe area after the crash if possible, and do not exit your vehicle unless you are sure that it is safe to do so.

Step Two: Report It

Collecting a properly filled out police report is very important to resolving a claim or case. You will need to call the police or state trooper in order to report the wreck. Please allow 15 to 20 minutes if the wreck is not an emergency.

When the police are taking each party’s statement, ensure that they take yours as well. If for any reason, you are unable to provide a statement at that time, you may make a statement at the police department upon request. You should always discuss this with your attorney before doing so. It is also imperative to gather information from witnesses of the wreck that can testify just in case.

Step Three: Take Photos of Evidence

The camera on your phone will be the most useful tool following a car wreck. While waiting for the police to arrive, and if it safe to do so, take as many photos as possible of all the damage to you, your passengers, your car, and any road conditions that could have contributed to the car wreck. If the other person is comfortable with allowing you to take pictures of their vehicle, then it should also be recorded with as many possible angles included. There can never be “too many” photos after a car wreck.

Step Four: Gather Insurance Information

Get the insurance information from the other driver involved in the wreck. Remember to be respectful and to be polite when you do. You are not obligated to any questions other than the ones asked by the police officer or state trooper. Do not tell the other driver that you think you may be medically okay before you are inspected by a paramedic. Also, be sure to visit a doctor after a car wreck, even if you don’t feel that it’s necessary.

About 90 percent of insurance claims do not reach a court hearing. Nonetheless, you should contact an auto collision or personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a car wreck. This will ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are legally entitled. In most cases, just the act of having an attorney present could increases the amount of your settlement.

Step Five: Speak to an Attorney

When you meet with our car accident lawyers, we'll take down the facts of the case and answer any questions you might have. Then, if we agree you have a case, we'll make a plan for how to pursue it with the insurance companies, any other drivers, and the courts. Our auto accident lawyers can take care of all the paperwork and legal issues related to the case while you take time to recover from your accident. You can rest and recover with the assurance that your legal affairs are in good hands.

If you or a loved one has recently been in an accident that led to mechanical or medical expenses, then contact the car accident lawyers at Steinberg Law Firm today! You can reach us through this website or by calling 843-720-2800. We serve clients in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, and the surrounding areas.

Updated on January 18, 2019