Have you ever been involved in a minor or major car accident? If you haven’t, do you know what you should do after it happens?
As car accident attorneys that serve Bucks County, PA, Montgomery County, Erie, Harrisburg, Scranton and Philadelphia, we know all too well that emotions can be high, and that the injuries can range from being minor to severe after an accident. However, if your injuries aren’t severe, and you’re able to get out of your vehicle, there are several things you should do immediately after the accident happens, and here is just a handful:
Don’t leave the accident scene – Never leave unless it’s absolutely necessary. If it’s a serious accident and someone was severely injured or even killed, you may face criminal penalties (especially if you’re at fault for the accident).
Check to see if everyone’s okay – Before examining the damage done to your vehicle, make sure everyone is okay. This is important because someone may need medical attention and/or additional help to get out of his or her vehicle. Plus, if someone is hurt, it will take longer for them to get medical attention.
Dial 911 – Dialing 911 is vital if it’s a serious accident, or if someone has sustained life-threatening injuries. A police office will file a report of the accident in case any legal action is taken by you or the others involved in the accident.
Get everyone’s information – Obtain the names, addresses, numbers, basic insurance information, license plate numbers and drivers’ license numbers from everyone who was involved. Keep in mind that it’s important to remain cooperative and calm while exchanging information.
Take pictures on your phone or another device – If possible, take photos of all the damage that was done in case you need to give them to the insurance adjuster, or to a lawyer if he/she ends up needing to present them in court.
These are just a handful of the many things you should do after being involved in a car accident. If you want to learn more about what you should do, or try to obtain just compensation for any injuries or losses sustained during a recent car accident, reach out to us here at Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC.
To get in touch with one of our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers, please give us a call today, or email [email protected].
