A serious car accident, no matter the circumstances, is traumatic—the split second before the crash, the impact, the paralyzing fear of not knowing if everyone’s okay. To say that you’ll be shaken up immediately following an accident is an understatement. However, once the initial shock subsides, it’s important to know what to do next.
Here are 3 steps you should take immediately following an accident:
- Get witness names and contact information. Unless your accident happened on a deserted road, there were probably a number of people who witnessed the wreck. Get the names and contact information for these witnesses. Their account of the accident could prove vital to your injury claim.
- Get medical treatment. Adrenaline will be racing through your body for a while after the wreck, which can mask injuries you may have sustained. It’s important to seek medical treatment after an accident, even if you feel fine. You may not know how injured you actually are.
- Don’t talk to the insurance company. If you were injured and the accident wasn’t your fault, you may hear from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They’ll more than likely make a settlement offer to compensate you for your injuries. In our experience, these initial offers will not cover all your future medical costs and lost wages. Don’t take the insurance company’s first offer. Don’t even speak with them. Call an attorney instead. An experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer can stand between you and the insurance company to make sure you get fair compensation for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, give us a call today for a free consultation. We’ll investigate your accident and make sure your rights are protected.