What to Do If You Get Hurt From a Car Accident

Image of a car accident in Oregon - OlsenDaines Personal Injury Attorneys

Car accidents can be scary situations, especially if you sustain any type of injury. Knowing what to do after an accident can help you seek recovery quickly while protecting your rights and preparing to make a claim. Here is what to do if you get hurt from a car accident:

Stay Calm and Assess Injuries

Always ensure you, your passengers, and anybody else involved in the accident are safe. If anybody sustained major injuries, call 911 immediately for medical help. Try to maintain a calm demeanor to remain in control of the situation. Additionally, move any impacted vehicles out of the way of traffic if possible.

Call Law Enforcement and Make a Report

Once you know everybody is safe, call the authorities and report the incident. Law enforcement will examine the scene, interview witnesses, and otherwise collect information about the accident to help determine who was at fault. A police report is extremely important for proving liability, which is why you should never skip this step.

Collect Witness Contact Information

If there are third-party witnesses to the accident, try to collect their contact information – even if law enforcement has not yet arrived. That way, if the witness chooses to leave the scene of the accident before police arrive, you will still have their information to provide for the report and to use later on if needed.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

If you have not already contacted a medical professional to assess your injuries, do so as soon as possible – even if you feel just fine. Shock from an accident can make it difficult or impossible to determine the extent of an injury, which is why it’s crucial to see a doctor right away. Describe the events and any wounds in detail and get comprehensive diagnostic tests. Not only will this allow the doctor to create a proper treatment plan that will help with your recovery, but it will also create a written medical record that can be used later on if you make a claim.

Do Not Give a Statement to Any Insurance Company

Wait until you have consulted with an experienced attorney before you give a statement to any insurance company – even your own. Your insurance company may call you shortly after the accident to obtain a statement, but whatever you say can be used against you later on. Though you may notify them that an accident has occurred, wait to provide a statement.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

An experienced attorney can help you navigate the claims process to recover maximum compensation to which you are entitled. These damages can help cover medical bills, vehicle repairs, and more. If you are in need of an experienced attorney in the state of Oregon, contact the experts at OlsenDaines today for a free legal consultation. With years of experience and a dedicated staff, we’re able to take over the logistical challenges and requirements of your claim and allow you to focus solely on recovering from your injury and taking care of your family.

Keep Track of All Injuries, Treatments, and Expenses

Keeping track of your injuries, treatments, and expenses can help you immensely throughout the claims process. To stay organized, we recommend creating a folder where you can keep medical receipts and records. Also try recording additional information such as:

  • Pain and symptoms caused by accident-related injuries
  • Time missed from work for medical care or recovery
  • Contact information for medical providers
  • Specific dates for medical appointments
  • Out-of-pocket expenses for co-pays or prescriptions
  • Attend All Medical Appointments

To ensure your recovery, it’s crucial to follow through on all of your medical appointments. Be sure to take any prescribed medications, attend physical therapy, and show up to any necessary doctor’s appointments. Not only will this help you heal faster, but it may also help you with your claim. If you fail to attend medical appointments, an insurance company may claim that either you are not actually injured, or that you needlessly extended your injuries by not following through on treatments. To recover quickly and remain prepared for a claim, it’s important to complete all recommended medical treatments.

Don’t Forget to Get a Police Report

Car accidents happen every day. But somehow, you are never expecting to be in one.

If you are involved in a car accident, it can leave you not only injured, but emotionally and mentally shattered as well. That’s why it’s important to know how to handle a car accident long before one happens.

Let’s take a look at what you can do to prepare for the unexpected.

Be Prepared.

One of the best things you can do to prepare for an accident is to have a first aid kit in your car and carry safety cones and lights in your trunk.

Another is to make sure your phone is fully charged at all times.

Being organized also helps. Keep important papers, like your insurance card, where you can easily get to them. And keep a pad and pen available that you can use to take down names of witnesses and other information in the event of an accident.  Take pictures of the other driver’s car, license plate, and any documents he or she gives you at the scene.

Get Medical Attention.

Your first point of concern after a car accident is your well-being and that of your passengers. If you or one of your passengers is injured, your immediate concern is to get medical attention. Call 911 or ask someone else to. If you are seriously injured, don’t move until the medics arrive.

Get a Police Report.

Whether the accident is major or just a fender-bender, it is important to get a police report. After an accident, call the police. When the police arrive, ask that a police report be filled out, and be sure to get the names and badge numbers of the officers who respond.

It is very important to remember to get a police report. If you need to bring a personal injury action, having the police report can be critical to your case.

Exchange Information.

Assuming you are not seriously injured, be sure to exchange information with the other driver. Get the names, numbers, addresses, drivers’ license numbers, license plate numbers, and basic insurance information from all drivers involved. If there are passengers, get their names numbers and addresses also.

A few cautions here: don’t argue with the other driver, don’t admit fault, and don’t talk too much.

Why?

Because you just might be admitting legal liability. Until an accident is fully investigated, you really don’t know whose fault it is. So stay calm and keep quiet.

Take Photos.

Again, assuming you are not injured (and assuming you moved to a safe spot), if possible, take pictures of the scene and the damage to your car. Pictures can help your insurance adjuster determine how much you should be compensated for the damage to your car and can serve as evidence if you have to bring a lawsuit.

Finally…

Consider Hiring An Attorney.

When you are injured in a car accident, find out whether you should file a lawsuit. We provide free consultations. We have offices in Tigard, Salem, Albany, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Bend, and several other cities in Oregon. We also have offices in Vancouver and Tri-Cities in Washington. We offer free consultations and we can help you. To set up an appointment, call us toll free at: 1-800-682.9568.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Crash

It’s important to have a mental checklist for what you need to do immediately following an accident. At the very least, whether it’s a major accident or a fender bender, damage claims and insurance companies will be involved. What happens right after an accident can make all the difference in how claims or lawsuits get resolved. Here are some things to keep in mind following a car accident:

  • Most important of all, immediately check on the safety of everyone involved in the accident. Call paramedics if there’s the slightest possibility that anyone is injured. First and foremost, this should be done for the sake of the well-being of all involved. Secondary to that, it is important to the future success of any damage claims that you as an accident promptly seek medical attention if necessary.
  • Whether or not paramedics are needed, make sure a police officer comes to the scene of the accident. It’s essential that a police report is created to determine which driver will be held legally at fault.
  • Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, and make sure you follow through on all prescribed courses of treatment and follow-up visits. Keep a daily journal of the status and progression of your injuries. You need to be establishing a thorough medical record to document injuries in the event that you wish to seek monetary damages.
  • Contact your insurance company as soon as possible following the accident. Keep careful track of the claim number you are assigned and the name of your claims adjuster. Report the accident to the other driver’s insurance company as well, but be careful about what you say.
  • Seek the services of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. An injury attorney can assist you with the documentation and in stressful claim settlement negotiations. When it comes time for a settlement, you’ll see the difference a good personal injury attorney can make when it comes time to settle the claims.