If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may experience pain, disability, and time away from your job. The steps you take immediately after the wreck can impact your ability to recover the losses you’ve incurred due to someone else’s negligence.
Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law, has been helping clients in Olympia, Tacoma, and other areas of Washington since 1972. Car accident attorney Marya Fuller has built a reputation for excellence in a broad range of accident and injury cases. She has the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
8 Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you were involved in a car accident, consider taking the following steps. You can print this information now and store it safely in your vehicle’s glove box to review in the event of an accident.
1. Stay Calm
Traffic accidents are jarring events, but you don’t want to let your emotions make an already stressful situation worse. Staying calm can help you better assess the crash scene and clearly recall what happened. Take a moment to breathe and regain your composure.
2. Contact the Authorities
Even if there are no signs of damage, you should dial 911 after a collision. Once you have contacted the authorities, you need to stay at the scene of the accident.
3. Check for Injuries
Starting with yourself, check the occupants of your vehicle for signs of injury. If it is safe to do so, check on the driver and passengers of the other vehicle as well. If you discover injuries, inform the authorities when you call 911.
Do not provide assistance that is beyond your training. Let emergency responders care for the injured parties.
4. Get Names and Information
Identify the other drivers involved in the crash and obtain their names, driver’s license numbers, contact information, and insurance information, including the names of the insurance companies and the policy numbers. If another driver seems angry, dangerous, or incapacitated, ask a responding officer to get the necessary information for you.
You should also get the names and contact information of any witnesses at the scene. Eyewitness testimony can strengthen your case.
5. Take Photographs
If you can do so safely, take wide-shot photographs of the accident scene from various angles and locations. Items to photograph include:
- Damage to both vehicles
- License plates of the vehicles involved
- Injuries
- The road or intersection where the collision occurred
- Skid marks on the roadway
- Traffic signals or stop signs at the location of the crash
6. Notify Your Insurance Provider
Regardless of who is at fault, it is important to contact your car insurance company as soon as possible after an accident. Many insurance policies require prompt notification and failing to do so in a timely manner could jeopardize your coverage.
When contacting your insurance company, communicate honestly but pay attention to what you discuss. Provide general information but avoid mentioning fault and politely refrain from giving a statement until you consult with an attorney.
7. Seek Medical Attention
If you are severely injured in a car accident, you will be treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel and transported to the nearest hospital as necessary. However, even if you do not require emergency treatment, if you were hurt at all in the accident you should visit a doctor promptly. This medical treatment is important because some injuries are not immediately apparent. Medical documentation will also play a vital role in supporting your personal injury claim.
8. Call a Car Accident Lawyer at Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law
If you’ve been hurt in a wreck, an experienced car accident attorney can handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. A lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence to support your claim, and help you pursue the maximum compensation to which you may be entitled under the law.
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, it may not be easy to remember what to do and whom to call. For this reason, it’s a good idea to add Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law to your phone’s contact list now.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Olympia Today
Car accident attorney Marya Fuller is a specialist in accident and injury law. She has substantial experience helping clients recover the compensation and justice they deserve in a wide range of personal injury cases. She understands the hardships you may be facing, and she is committed to helping you recover your losses with compassion and integrity.
Don’t face your injuries alone. If you were hurt in a car accident, contact Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys at Law, today online or at (800) 570-4878 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We proudly serve clients from Olympia, Tacoma, and other areas across Washington.
