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What to do After a Car Accident

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

After an auto accident, you’re likely to feel shaken and stressed, which could cause you to do or say some things that could hurt your case in a car accident lawsuit down the road. To protect yourself, always take the following steps:

Make sure everyone is okay

If anyone (including yourself or your passengers) needs medical attention, be sure to call for emergency help immediately.

Call the police

Some drivers make the mistake of dealing directly with the other driver(s) in an accident, but that can hurt your case later on. Even if you think the accident was minor or it is clearly the other driver’s fault, it’s always best to contact the police so you have a police report on record.

Take pictures

Take pictures of everything, including your car damage, damage to the other vehicles, positioning of the other vehicles, road signs, road conditions, skid marks, broken glass—anything that could be potentially important to your case.

Document what you remember

While your memory is fresh, jot down notes about what you remember about the accident. Describe what happened? Using your cell phone or a notebook, write or record everything that occurred. Memories fade with time, and these notes may be important later.

Don’t apologize

Even if you think the accident was your fault, don’t apologize for it. A car accident attorney will investigate the case, and may find other factors that you are unaware of. If you apologize, you could assume responsibility, and that could reduce your chances of receiving compensation.

Wait a little while before contacting your insurance company

You may feel compelled to contact your insurance company immediately, but give yourself a few hours to calm down first. If you give the insurance company a statement that implies you were at all at fault, you could be hurting your case. Wait until you’re in a refreshed state of mind, or better yet, contact your car wreck attorney for advice first, before calling your insurance company.

Go see the doctor

You may not feel like you’re injured, but that doesn’t mean that you weren’t. Having a medical record after the accident sets you up for success with any subsequent injury claims. Often times it can be hours or days for injuries to become apparent.

Don’t sign anything

Insurance adjusters may encourage you to settle your claim quickly, and you may want it to be over, but think twice before signing any papers. Make sure you know exactly what you’re signing. It’s best to run any legal paper by your auto accident lawyer.

Contact a Pittsburgh Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are unsure of what to do next, contacting an experienced auto accident lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA is very important. The Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys at Chaffin Luhana can help you understand your options and will fight to recover the money you need to obtain the best medical care and to achieve the highest quality of life.

To find out if you qualify to file an auto accident claim, contact us today or call us 24/7 at 1-888-480-1123.

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