What to Do Immediately Following a Car Accident
What To Do Immediately Following a Car Accident
You’re a good driver, a safe driver. You always wear your seat belt, you practice defensive driving, and you never missed a turn signal. Little old ladies tip their hat to you. You are the paragon of impeccable driving. However, despite all of this, you are now sitting in the battered wreckage of your automobile, the crumpled hood of your car steaming, and emergency lights are flashing in your rearview mirror.
You were just in a car accident. Your head is spinning and your heart is pounding. Chaos is all around you and you have just one question tumbling around in your head: now what?
Steps to Follow After a Car Accident
Ensure Safety
Your first priority after a car accident should always be the safety of yourself, passengers and others involved. If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle to a secure location to prevent further accidents and injuries.
Call Emergency Services
Immediately dial 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance . Prompt medical attention is crucial for assessing and addressing personal injuries, potentially saving lives in severe cases. The police report and medical treatment documentation is very important if you intend to file a car accident claim, or for your insurance claim process.
Exchange Information
After making sure everyone is ok, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This information is important for insurance claims and potential accident related lawsuits.
Document the Scene
As an experienced car accident lawyer, I’ve seen it all and therefore I recommend using your smartphone (or camera) to take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. This documentation can serve as critical evidence in a personal injury claim or in negotiations with an insurance company. As your personal injury lawyer, I know these images will be very important to ensure a successful claim.
Contact the Police
It is also very important to contact the police and request their presence at the scene of your accident. The police will create an accident report, which details the incident, includes statements from involved parties, witnesses, and an assessment of who was at fault. Documentation is essential and valuable for potential legal proceedings and proof of fault and damages with insurance companies.
Obtain Witness Information
Witness statements can corroborate the details of your accident. Therefore it is advisable to gather witness statements whenever possible. Witness statements offer valuable evidence in support of your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Regardless of the perceived severity of your injuries, it’s essential to undergo a medical evaluation after an accident. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal trauma, may not manifest immediately. Prompt medical documentation is not only vital for your well-being, but also strengthens your personal injury claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Promptly contact your insurance company to report the accident. Provide them with accurate and detailed information about the incident. Notifying your insurer in a timely manner is essential to comply with policy requirements and to initiate the claims process.
Preserve Evidence
Keep all of your relevant documents and records related to the auto accident, including medical records, bills, repair estimates, and correspondence with the insurance company. This meticulous record-keeping will help substantiate the extent of your damages.
Communicate with an Insurance Adjuster
When dealing with auto insurance adjusters, you need to be cautious about what you say. Avoid accepting blame or making statements that could be used against you. Call me, I can help you navigate these conversations to protect your interests. Remember, your insurance company is not your friend. They will attempt to settle your claim for far less than it is worth. This is precisely why I am one of the top car accident lawyers in Ohio. I take on the insurance companies to ensure you are justly compensated.
File a Personal Injury Claim
If you’ve suffered injuries due to an accident, call me as soon as possible. I will help you to file a formal personal injury claim against the at-fault party. We will seek compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial damages resulting from the accident. Car accident victims should only have to focus on their treatment and recovery.
Keep Records
As you heal, it is very important to maintain meticulous records of all expenses related to your accident, including medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost wages, and any other losses you’ve incurred. These records will serve as concrete evidence when establishing the extent of your damages during the personal injury claim process.
I’ve been an auto accident lawyer for more than 40 years, and I know how vital this information is to your car accident settlement. Call me for a free consultation. I am always available when you need me, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
At-Fault Drivers
Listed below are various reasons someone may be labeled as an at-fault driver.
Violation of Traffic Laws:
Failing to obey traffic laws, such as running a red light, speeding, or disregarding stop signs, can establish fault in a car crash. These violations are clear indicators of negligence.
Distracted Driving:
Engaging in activities such as texting, talking on the phone, or using in-car entertainment systems while operating a vehicle can lead to distracted driving accidents. Such distractions can establish fault if they result in a collision.
Driving Under the Influence:
Operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol is not only illegal but also a significant factor in why motor vehicle accidents happen. A DUI offense often places the impaired driver at fault.
Failure to Yield Right of Way:
Neglecting to yield the right of way to other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists when required by law, may lead to collisions for which the driver is deemed at fault.
Reckless Driving:
Reckless behaviors such as aggressive driving, road rage, or excessive speeding can not only lead to accidents, but car accident fatalities. Reckless driving often establishes fault due to the dangerous nature of these actions.
Unsafe Lane Changes:
Making sudden or unsafe lane changes without proper signaling or checking blind spots can result in collisions. The driver making the unsafe maneuver is typically considered at fault.
Tailgating:
Following too closely (tailgating) often leads to rear-end collisions. The driver who rear-ends another vehicle is typically found at fault for not maintaining a safe following distance.
Failure to Maintain Control:
Losing control of the vehicle due to factors such as weather conditions, tire blowouts, or mechanical failures can result in fault if it’s determined the driver failed to properly maintain their vehicle.
Failure to Adjust Speed to Conditions:
Failure to slow down in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, can lead to accidents. Failing to adjust speed to match the road conditions can establish fault and responsibility.
Failure to Stop for School Buses:
A driver who fails to stop as children board or disembark a school bus, may cause severe injury to a child and/or collision with another vehicle. Failure to yield when a school bus displays its flashing red lights is considered at-fault-behavior.
Your Personal Injury Lawyer
I am a highly experienced car accident attorney who has won thousands of accident claims resulting in millions of dollars awarded to my clients. If your were injured in an accident by a negligent driver, I can help you too! Call me for a free consultation to discuss your claim. I will be your advocate and help you navigate the settlement process. I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Understanding the Impact of Car Accidents
.Car accidents often result in horrific injuries with profound, adverse effects on an entire family. The physical, emotional and financial tolls can be life changing. As such, I am dedicated to providing you with unwavering support as we navigate your injury claim together.
Specializing in Car Accident Cases
My specialization lies in handling car accident cases. With a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge, I can offer you the unique advantage of having a dedicated professional who knows the intricacies of car accident claims. You can trust that I will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Prioritizing Your Well-Being
Your health and well-being are my top priorities. I am committed to ensuring you receive the necessary medical care and rehabilitation for your car accident injuries. I will help you acquire the monetary damages you need to repair your life.
Navigating the Complex Insurance Claims Process
Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming and confusing. I bring extensive experience in navigating the complexities of the insurance claims process. My goal is to shield you from unnecessary stress and handle negotiations on your behalf. I will work to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Your Advocate for Fair Compensation
More than just your lawyer, I am your dedicated advocate. I work tirelessly to secure compensation for all of your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Thorough and Meticulous Investigation
To build a robust case, I leave no stone unturned. I will meticulously investigate the circumstances surrounding your car accident, gather critical evidence, and consult with experts when necessary. I work with a team of experts who will determine the necessary and appropriate compensation we will help to secure on your behalf.
Providing Personalized Legal Guidance
Recognizing that every car accident case is unique, I offer personalized legal guidance tailored to your specific situation. Your needs, concerns, and goals are at the forefront of our relationship. I am here to provide you with a customized legal strategy that best serves your interests.
Handling Complex Legalities with Expertise
Car accident cases often involve intricate legal details that can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the process. I will handle all of legal matters, so that you can focus on your recovery.
Open and Transparent Communication
Open and transparent communication are the keys to a successful relationship. My staff and I will keep you informed of the status of your car accident case
Your Advocate and Ally
In your time of need, I am not just your car accident lawyer; I am your staunch advocate, your compassionate supporter, and your trusted ally – with empathy, expertise, and a genuine commitment to securing fair compensation.
There is a good chance that both insurance companies may be eager to settle. It is incredibly tempting to give into that offer, but you need to know that insurance companies aren’t your friends, and they surely are not looking out for your best interests. I, on the other hand, am. If you rush into a settlement, but later discover you actually sustained a serious injury, and may have forfeited your legal rights to further compensation.
As a safe driver, and law abiding citizen, you carry sufficient automobile insurance. However, the driver who hit you may not have insurance. Ironically, people who drive poorly and recklessly, are often the ones that do not have insurance in place to protect themselves or you. The mandatory insurance coverage minimums in Ohio are extremely low, so even if the other driver did have the minimum coverage, it may not be enough to cover your claim.
Whiplash, brain injury, or any other injury as a result of your automobile accident can be discovered in the weeks following your accident. You may find yourself unable to work, with a mounting pile of medical bills. This year alone, more than 2.45 million people will be permanently disabled due to an automobile accident injury. As your personal injury attorney, I’ll work to secure the financial compensation you need to prevent you from drowning in massive debt and to help you get back on your feet.
Listen, you may not think this will happen to you. You’re too careful, too cautious. So did the other 300,000 drivers who were in an automobile accident in Ohio in the past year. If you’ve been in an automobile accident, you need to reach out to me as soon as possible to file an injury claim. Statutes of limitations are in place that may prevent you from obtaining fair restitution.
Path to Healing
You can begin the path to physical and emotional healing as soon as you call me. Lay your burdens on me and trust that I’ll work tirelessly to get every single penny of financial compensation you are entitled to for your pain and suffering. As your lawyer, I’ll give you my personal cell phone number and you better believe that if you call me any hour of the day or night, I will answer.
I’ll meet you at the hospital, in your home, wherever works best for you. I work on a contingency basis, which means that I’ll not only handle all of the financial aspects of your claim, you don’t have to pay me a single dime to represent you. My fee is a percentage of your award. If you don’t get paid, neither do I.
I’m not afraid of big corporations or insurance companies. I take on Big Cases, and I get Big Results. I’ve served the greater Cleveland, Ohio area for more than forty years as a top injury lawyer. As your accident attorney, I’ll Make Them Pay!®.
DISCLAIMER “Please understand the slogan, I’ll Make Them Pay!® is not a guarantee of payment. Both liability and real damages must be proven with a preponderance of the evidence.”
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