After a car crash, many people are not prepared for what to do next. The
stress and adrenaline from the accident may cause you to feel dazed, confused,
and scared. That is why being prepared beforehand is so important.
Our firm wants clients to know how to increase their safety and protect their rights
to compensation after an accident. By following these steps, you can stay
calm and focused in the aftermath of an auto wreck.
After a crash, you should:
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Check for injuries. If you or your passengers are injured, it is important to stay where you
are and call 911. You should wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive
and provide the necessary treatment for your injuries.
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Get to a safe location. If you are not injured, and the vehicle is able to move, you should try
to pull over and get out of the flow of traffic. Whether you pull onto
a shoulder or into a parking lot, this can help prevent another collision.
However, you should never leave the scene of an accident, even a minor
one, because you could be charged with fleeing the scene.
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Exchange information with the other driver. After an accident, you should write down the name and policy number of
the other driver's insurance, and provide them with yours. The insurance
company may want to conduct an investigation into the accident, and notifying
them will begin the process of pursing a settlement.
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Gather evidence. If possible, you should take pictures of all vehicle damage and visible
injuries. Furthermore, you should get the contact information of witnesses,
write down the license plate numbers of all the cars involved, and request
a copy of the police report.
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Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine and do not receive treatment from emergency responders,
it is still important to make an appointment to see your doctor. Soft
tissue injuries may not present symptoms right away. Furthermore, if you
wait to seek treatment, but you later file a claim for injuries that appeared
after the accident, the insurance company may say that your injuries did
not occur from the accident. This can make it difficult to seek compensation.
Thus, you should see a doctor and request a copy of you medical records.
Call Our San Jose Car Accident Attorneys Today at (800) 900-0863
At Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP, we provide compassionate legal assistance
to clients who have been injured in car wrecks. Whatever your situation, our
San Jose car accident lawyers will fight diligently for your case. We know you are going through a stressful
time, and will use our nearly 100 years of combined experience to build
your case and represent you to the insurance company.
Contact our team
today to receive a free, no-risk case evaluation.