Millions of car accidents happen each year in the United States. Fortunately, most of these accidents only result in property damage. However, some car accidents result in personal injuries, both minor and severe.
If you have been hurt in a car wreck that was caused by someone else’s reckless acts, there are a number of things you need to do immediately following the accident to boost your odds of receiving fair compensation for your losses.
Here are two crucial things you need to do immediately following a car accident:
1. Document the accident scene
Personal injury claims following a car accident are won or lost based on the strength of your evidence. As such, it is important that you gather as much evidence as you can after the car crash, if possible.
If you (or one of your passengers) can, take photos of the crash scene, the damage to the vehicles, road conditions and any crucial evidence you find useful. If there are skid marks on the road, be sure to capture them, too.
2. See your doctor
It is important that you obtain a medical evaluation with your doctor, at a clinic or at a hospital as soon as possible following the wreck. Even if you do not feel hurt, be sure to see a doctor. Your adrenaline may be masking a serious injury.
Injuries sustained following your car accident are usually factored in your personal injury claim, so it is important to see a doctor so these injuries can be captured in your medical report. Failing to seek medical help immediately following the accident can work against your case. The defendant’s insurance company could claim that your injuries were not related to the accident in question.
A car accident usually happens without warning. If you are hurt in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, it is important that you know what to do to ensure that you win your personal injury lawsuit and get the compensation you deserve.
