Top 5 Tips if You Have Been in a Car Accident
What are some tips you should remember if you or a loved one has gotten into an accident?
1. Make a police report.
It is important when you have a car accident to stay at the scene, call the police and wait for them to arrive to get a statement. This will insure that all of the information from the accident is documented while the information is fresh and most accurate.
2. Get information.
Gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, individuals involved in the accident and/or passengers. Be sure to get all pertinent insurance information.
3. Take pictures.
Get pictures of as much as possible of the scene. Focus on pictures of damage to the vehicles, signs around the area that show location, skid marks, and damage to property such as trees, signs or roads. Also, be certain to take pictures of bruises, scarring and lacerations (cuts) that are present on your body on the day of the accident or in the time after the accident has occurred.
4. Seek medical treatment.
Many people may put off seeking medical treatment thinking the pain will just go away over time. This is never a good idea as pain can be a sign of a serious condition. Often times a person may feel no pain immediately after the accident, but will be sore and in pain in the one to three days after the accident. Spend the time to seek treatment from the doctor to insure that there is nothing medically wrong with you.
5. Keep a journal.
It may be quite some time before you go to court or need to remember certain aspects of that day. It is a good idea to keep a journal beginning on the day of your accident. Use the journal to record things such as doctor’s appointments, conversations with others regarding the accident and how you feel on the days after the accident (pain level, bruising, limitations in daily activities).
