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Seven Things You Should Do After a Car Accident
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If you have been in a car accident, you may not be sure what you should be doing. Fortunately, if you follow these simple steps, you will put yourself in the best position possible for your accident claim, and any litigation that may follow. Here are the seven things you should make sure you do after a car accident:
Get insurance and contact information from the other driver(s)
Provided you are able to do so, make sure to get insurance and contact information from any other drivers involved in the accident. This will help you with filing an insurance claim, and give you the information you need in the event you need to bring a lawsuit.
Get contact information from any witnesses
You should also make sure to get the names and contact information of any other witnesses who saw the crash. These witnesses can provide critical testimony that can help you make your case during settlement negotiations, and potentially testify at trial if necessary.
Take pictures of the accident
You should make sure to get pictures of the accident, from several angles if possible. These pictures should detail the damage done to your vehicle as well as any other vehicles involved, and also include images of the scene of the crash for context. While people used to keep a disposable camera in their car for this purpose, a cell phone camera can work fine.
File an accident report
You should file an accident report as soon as possible after the crash. You should be truthful, but do not share more information than necessary, since information submitted in an accident report could be used to contradict later evidence or testimony.
Get a copy of the police report
If the police responded to your accident, you should make sure you obtain a report from the relevant police department. This report acts as critical impartial evidence that can potentially benefit you in any legal matters that may arise from the accident.
See a doctor as soon as possible
After any serious accident, you should make sure to see a doctor and get a thorough medical examination, preferably within 72 hours of the accident. Even if you feel completely fine, a doctor may discover hidden injuries you may not realize you have, such as hairline fractures or a traumatic brain injury. This is critical for ensuring you receive adequate treatment for your injuries, as well as obtaining appropriate compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Hire a lawyer
You do not need to handle your car accident alone. Contact a personal injury lawyer with experience handling car accidents who can assist you in obtaining justice for the harm you have suffered. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work on your case.
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs.