The Right Steps to Take to Protect Your Health and Your Legal Rights
When you’ve been injured because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, the steps you take in the immediate aftermath of your injuries can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
Here are the most important things to do after an accident.
Step #1—Medical Treatment after a Car Accident
Stay calm and prioritize safety:
- The first thing you want to do after any type of accident is conduct a self-assessment to determine the extent of your injuries.
- If you have any injury to your neck, shoulders or head, you should stay right where you are, provided you can do so safely, until emergency medical personnel arrive.
- Even if you are able to move without discomfort under your own power, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, either in a local emergency room, an urgent care facility, or at the offices of your primary care physician.
- When you seek medical attention, ask providers to document everything in writing. Be sure to tell doctors and nurses of everything that seems out of the ordinary. Don’t focus exclusively on obvious injuries, such as broken bones, and neglect to mention tenderness in your back.
Step #2—Call the Police
Call 911 and report the accident, even if it’s minor.
Gather information, if possible. If you can do so, take the time to get information from anyone involved in the accident
- Full name, phone number, address and email address
- Driver’s license number, if possible (take a picture)
- Vehicle license plate number
You also want contact info for any potential witnesses.
Step #3—Document Everything from the Scene of the Accident
Take pictures of anything related to the accident, including:
- Your injuries
- Damage to vehicles
- Skid marks at the scene
- Any unusual road conditions or weather at the time of the crash
The camera on your phone is fine.
Step #3—Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
The sooner you hire proven counsel, the sooner your rights will be fully protected. A knowledgeable lawyer can help preserve evidence and ensure that everything is timely filed to protect your rights.
Get the Benefit of Our 30 Years of Personal Injury Experience
Let the Law Office of John Fazzini help you get full and fair compensation for your losses. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact us online or call our offices at (631)547-8989. We take all personal injury cases on a contingency basis. You will only pay attorney fees if we recover compensation for your losses.