Every year there are about two million car accidents in the U.S. in which someone suffers an injury. Anyone could suddenly find themselves involved in an accident whenever they leave the house. A personal injury lawyer in Newnan, GA offers these tips on what to do if you’re ever in an accident.
Never Drive Away
Leaving the scene of an accident if someone is injured is a crime. Even if no one is hurt, the other driver might not have valid insurance or could be running some kind of con. Protect yourself by calling the police so that there is an official record of the accident.
Protect Others
Prevent another accident by keeping the flashers on and setting up flares. If it’s dark and the lights aren’t working, use a flashlight to let other drivers know where you are. It’s a good idea to always keep a flashlight and flares in the car.
Call the Police
As mentioned above, the police report may be very important later. In order to file an insurance claim, a police report may be required even if the only damage was to your car. Unless the vehicles involved in the accident are blocking traffic, they should not be moved.
Document the Accident
Tell the police officer what happened, but don’t make guesses, don’t lie and don’t admit fault. Take pictures, including license plates, and get the other driver’s registration and insurance information. Get contact information for any witnesses. When asked if you are injured, say that you aren’t sure as many injuries do not become apparent until some time has passed.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Many policies require that accidents be reported as soon as possible and that the policyholder cooperate. Find out what medical benefits are covered by your policy as this coverage must be exhausted before private health insurance coverage will pay.
Get Medical Treatment
Even in minor accidents, there can be soft tissue and other injuries. A minor impact could cause serious damage to the spinal cord. A loss of consciousness could indicate a concussion. Go to the emergency room or your personal doctor as soon as possible.
Diane M. Sternlieb is both a registered nurse and a personal injury lawyer in Newnan, GA, which gives her a unique insight into personal injury cases. If you have been injured and believe another was at fault, contact Dsternlieblaw.com to discuss your legal options.
