How To Protect Yourself After A Car Accident

Getting in a car accident can be a terrifying experience. You may find yourself in a state of shock afterwards. There will most likely be a million things running through your head, or it may be the complete opposite and you find it hard to focus on anything. Either way, there are a lot of steps that you should try to complete if you ever find yourself in this situation. Knowing them beforehand may help you remember them if you are unfortunately ever in an accident.

Take Stock of the Situation

One of the first things you should do is assess the situation. Determine if you are injured by gently moving your limbs one at a time. If you feel something that doesn't feel right or a burst of pain, you should try to stay as still as possible and wait for help to arrive. If you are not injured, you may want to exit the car to further evaluate the situation. There may be other passengers involved that you may also want to check for injuries before proceeding to the next step.

Collect Evidence

You should collect photos of the car accident just in case you need them for a car accident lawyer if you decide to file a claim. Take photos of each side of the vehicle. You should also take photos of the other cars that were involved. Try to get as many shots as you can from all angles.

Contact the Authorities

It may seem like an obvious step, but if you are dealing with a shady person, they may try to talk you into skipping it. However, this is a regrettable decision to make. Protect yourself by contacting the local police and reporting the accident. The police will need to take a written statement from you and anyone else at the scene of the accident. These statements can help you in court.

Hire a Lawyer

This is an important step if you wish to file a settlement against the other driver involved. This is usually done if you were injured in the accident. The settlement is used to protect you against any loss of wages you experience after being injured. A lawyer is the best way to make sure you get the maximum amount of a settlement and provide the best defense in court.

Considerations

It is important to follow all the advice of your lawyer during this time. Attend any physical therapy and medical appointments you have and don't over-do it. If you injure yourself worse during the trial or over-exaggerate your injury, the judge may lower your settlement amount or dismiss the case. (For more information, contact Diane Parsons car accident lawyer in Toronto or another practitioner)