After a scary impact on a freeway, it may be hard to think clearly about what to do next. You may be left in shock and perhaps in pain caused by a serious injury like a broken leg or head trauma.
You could be forced to call for help and at the same time, be left to wonder if you’ll be blamed for a car crash you didn’t cause. It’s a lot to think about at such a difficult moment, but your actions on the scene could determine if the blame in an accident stays with the right person. You may have to take action to make sure you don’t get stuck with the blame and the hospital bills that result.
Working With Emergency Responders to Protect Your Injury Claim
A car collision involving an injury is a serious incident that will require a response from the highway patrol or local police. Your injury will also mean that paramedics will be rushing to the scene.
When officers arrive, you’ll want to give them a full account of what you saw before the accident:
- Was the other driver acting recklessly?
- Was the other driver speeding?
- Was the other driver distracted or looking at a cell phone?
- Did the other driver ignore a traffic light or sign?
Those officers will create a collision report that could provide powerful evidence in your favor. Give them the best chance to document what actually happened.
Allow paramedics to check you out thoroughly. Let them take you to the hospital if necessary. Tell them about every pain you are experiencing.
If you must leave the scene, ask someone with you or a helpful witness to collect a few more details from the scene before it’s cleared.
Taking Action to Strengthen Your Case After a Car Accident
Once the scene is secure and it’s safe to move around, you can begin collecting evidence you may need to prove what happened. You should only get out of your car if your injuries will allow it.
There are a few actions you can take that will make it much harder for a car insurance company to shift blame in an accident or deny your injury claim:
- Use your cellphone camera to capture evidence. Show the vehicles involved and the damage done. Take pictures of any traffic signs and any marks left on the road. Show any visible injuries you have.
- Exchange information with the other drivers involved unless an officer provides it to you.
- Don’t say “I’m Alright.” You may not want to cause a fuss and decide to downplay your pain. But you may not know how seriously you are hurt until you are examined by your own doctor in the days that follow. Making the statement that you’re fine on the scene of your accident could allow an insurance company to twist your words later. They’ll try to use the statement as evidence that you weren’t really hurt. They’ll attempt to imply that any injuries you claim later are fake.
- Get witness contact information.
- Make an appointment to see your family doctor. Let them know you’ve been in an accident and get every new pain examined. Sometimes the pain of an injury goes unnoticed until the shock of what happened wears off. You could have a hairline fracture and not know it until you wake up the morning after a crash. Follow your doctor’s orders, especially about seeing specialists and attending physical therapy.
Securing Support to Cover a Full Recovery
If you are worried about who will be paying for your medical bills after a major car accident, it’s a good indication that you’ll need to take action. Find a reputable car accident lawyer in your area and take advantage of a free case consultation.
A skilled lawyer will help you determine if you are at risk of being treated unfairly by insurance adjusters. You’ll also discover if having a legal representative handling your case will help you earn more. Even if a lawyer can’t help improve the outcome of your case, it’s still a no-risk chance to gain the information you’ll need to file a successful claim on your own.