Were you involved in an accident with a speeding driver? There are a few steps you should take immediately following a car accident to protect yourself and your rights. By following these steps, you’ll set your personal injury claim up for success.
Check for Injuries and Call 911
The first thing you should do after an accident is to check yourself and others involved for injury. If you or another person has severe injuries that require immediate medical treatment, that should be your first priority.
If the accident is an emergency, you should also call 911 and request police and EMTs come to the scene. The police will take statements from you, the other driver, and any passengers and include them in a report. Police reports are generally not admissible as evidence in personal injury cases. However, your attorney may be able to use the report to gather other information.
EMTs will check you and the others involved in the accident for injuries and provide first-aid for anyone who needs it. They may discover injuries that were initially missed, either due to adrenaline masking the pain or clothes hiding the injury.
Seek Medical Attention
Some injuries, such as whiplash and internal organ damage, may take hours or days for symptoms to appear. However, an EMT may be able to spot the early warning signs so you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon after the accident as possible.
Seeking medical treatment early serves two purposes. First, it can prevent any injuries you have from worsening over time. And second, it starts a paper trail of your injuries. By seeking treatment, doctors will document your injuries, and you will show that you took your well-being seriously, which can be vital for your case.
The insurance company wants to save money by reducing your payout. If you don’t seek medical treatment shortly after your injury, they may try to use this as evidence that your injuries aren’t actually real or as severe as you claim they are.
Gather Evidence from the Scene
If you’re physically able to, you should gather evidence from the scene directly after the accident. If you’re unable to, you should have someone else do so for you. To collect evidence, you should:
- Take photos and videos of the scene that show all vehicles involved from multiple angles. You should also take photos of the road conditions and surrounding area, including traffic signs, lights, and skid marks.
- Exchange information with the other driver and any eyewitnesses. You’ll need the driver’s information to file your claim. Once you have the contact information of eyewitnesses, your attorney can follow up with them to collect their statements.
- Write down your recollection of the accident while it’s fresh in your mind. This can help you recall what happened if you need to recount the accident months later.
Contact Our Washington, D.C. Car Accident Attorney
The final thing you should do immediately after an accident is to contact an attorney. An attorney will gather evidence supporting your case that you may be unable to get on your own, such as traffic camera footage showing the other driver was speeding. They’ll also represent you in settlement negotiations with the insurance company and will present your case at trial if the insurance company doesn’t agree to a fair settlement.
If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by a speeding driver, contact Simeone & Miller LLP for a free consultation. One of our experienced car accident attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and assist you in getting the medical care you need to treat your injuries. Don’t delay—time is of the essence, and the sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we can start protecting your rights and demanding fair compensation on your behalf.
