1. Call the police.
A police report is an important piece of evidence in the event that there is a question about liability for the accident. If possible, you should also identify any witnesses and get their contact information.
2. Get medical treatment.
The physical forces involved in automobile accidents can cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers. Injuries are usually apparent immediately – cuts, bruises, pain, etc. Sometimes, injuries do not manifest until much later.
This is particularly true of so-called “soft-tissue” injuries. These injuries often show no visible signs, and can be chronic and painful. These injuries are sometimes difficult to prove and often invisible to jury members, so medical documentation of the injury, treatment and prognosis is essential.
3.Take pictures
Take pictures of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, skid marks, and your injuries. It’s a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your glove box.
4.Talk to a lawyer. My office will be glad to provide a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation, as will most personal injury attorneys. Before you hire a lawyer, make sure that you understand the terms of representation. For instance, if I accept your case and am unable to recover anything for you, you do not have to pay back the case costs. This is not true of all law firms, and the costs can be substantial. Remember that insurance companies are not on your side – they want you to bargain
away your right to sue – for as little money as possible. Insurance companies regularly offer unrepresented accident victims a fraction of what they are entitled to receive – then pressure a settlement with doubletalk and artificial deadlines.
There are real deadlines that restrict your ability to bring a lawsuit. These deadlines are called “Statutes of Limitation” and they must be taken very seriously. A lawyer can tell you what Statute of Limitation applies to your case.
As with all legal matters, if you do not agree with what a lawyer tells you, or if you just don’t like him or her, you can and should seek a second (or third) opinion. It is extremely important that you have confidence in your lawyer’s abilities, and that you are able to work with him or her.