What To Do After A Car Accident

Our Experienced Lawyers Fight For The Injured In North Carolina

When you’ve been involved in a car accident, things can get very confusing very fast. You are trying to sort out if you or anyone else was hurt. You don’t know if your car can still be driven. It may not even be clear what happened. The experience can be overwhelming and you may not know what to do next.

At Brent Adams & Associates, we know what you’re going through. Our car accident lawyers have been helping people injured in North Carolina car accidents for decades. We know that crashes happen in a split-second and leave you wondering what to do. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of steps you can take to protect your safety, your health and your rights.

Steps to take immediately after a car accident

• Call the police – Your accident may seem minor or maybe the other driver doesn’t want to involve the police. Call the police anyway. They can make sure everyone is healthy and safe. They will also investigate the crash and create a car accident report. The information in the report can help determine who was at fault.
• Get medical attention – You may seem to feel OK and don’t think it’s necessary. But it’s important to get a physical exam as soon as possible for many reasons. You could have an injury without realizing it. A medical professional can also document the injuries you do have. See a doctor, even if the accident happened a few days ago.
• Get the other driver’s information – This includes the driver’s name, address, phone number, license number and insurance information. Give your information, too. Be careful not to talk about what happened or who was at fault. Anything you say could be used against you by the insurance company to deny you compensation.
• Talk to witnesses – There may have been people who saw the crash. Their account of what happened can be important evidence later on. Ask for their names and contact information.
• Take pictures – If you are able to do so, use your phone (or separate camera, if you have one) to take pictures of the car accident scene. Get photos of the vehicle damage, as well as nearby traffic signals or signs, weather conditions or road conditions.
• Report the accident to your insurance company – As soon as you can, contact your insurance company to tell them you were involved in an accident. Just stick to the basics – such as where, when and who was involved. Don’t offer any additional information or answer any questions at this time.
• Don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company – You may be contacted by an insurance adjuster with questions about what happened. Politely decline to answer any questions or make any statement. Explain that you would like to talk to your attorney first.
• Call a lawyer – It’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible after your accident. A lawyer can explain your rights, discuss your options and answer any questions you have.

Additional Steps Several Days After Your Crash

If your car accident happened a few days ago, it’s not too late to take certain steps to protect your rights and your health, including:

• See a doctor – Even if you have already been examined by a medical professional, schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor. Many car accident injuries, including whiplash and concussions, take days to develop.
• Start an accident journal – Document your injury symptoms and how your injuries have affected your life. Every detail can affect the value of your case.
• Don’t discuss the accident with anyone besides your lawyer – Again, anything you say or write about your crash could later be used as evidence to deny your injury claim.
• Keep it off social media – Insurance companies may check your social media posts to see if you discussed the accident. They can try to use what you posted against you.
• Contact an attorney – An experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer can help you every step of the way after your collision. Some of the ways an attorney can help you include:
  • Obtain a copy of your official car accident report for you free of charge.
  • Notify your insurance company on your behalf that you’ve been in a crash.
  • Deal directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
  • Negotiate the best possible settlement offer for your accident.
  • File a car accident lawsuit if necessary on your behalf.

Discover How A Dedicated North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you hurt, you deserve financial compensation. But insurance companies will work against you and try to pay you as little as they possibly can. That’s why you need an experienced attorney who knows how to fight back and help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation. It costs nothing to talk to us and there is no obligation. We just want you to have the information you need to decide what to do next.