This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

10 Steps to Take After an Accident

Report the accident to the appropriate authorities.
It is important to report your accident to the appropriate authorities immediately. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact the police and request assistance. If your accident occurred on someone else’s property, alert the property owner or someone employed on the premises. If your accident occurred while at work, inform your supervisor of your injury as soon as possible. To preserve your claim, and ensure you receive proper care, you must notify someone of your accident at your earliest opportunity. More on this webpage
Take photographs
If possible, use your cell phone to take photos of the scene of your accident. Take as many photos as possible from a variety of angles. This evidence could be vital to your future claim. Photographs preserve the scene should it later be changed or cleaned up. These photographs help illustrate to a jury why another party is at fault for your accident. Also, take photographs of your injuries. These photographs can help show a jury how traumatic your accident was, and are indisputable evidence as to the severity of your injury. More on this webpage
Gather information from any witnesses.
Try to obtain the personal information from any witnesses to your accident. Gather witnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers. Ask the witnesses what they saw and document their answers. The aftermath of the accident may be traumatic and chaotic, but this information will help improve a claim you bring in the future.

Preserve evidence
If possible, preserve any evidence that contributed to your accident. If it is not possible to physically preserve the evidence, be sure to take several pictures. Defendants to an accident claim may attempt to remove or repair the cause of your accident. By retaining physical or photographic evidence, you can help protect your claim.

Do not admit fault or partial responsibility.
It is often difficult to think clearly or accurately recall all the facts surrounding an accident immediately after it occurs. Don’t ever admit fault or even partial blame for the accident.

Obtain an Official Report
After your accident, ask for a copy of an official report. This could be in the form of a driver exchange of information, a police report, an accident report by a store manager, or other documentation. Some parties are more willing to provide this documentation than others. For instance, a police officer should always provide you with a police report number, while a store manager may not be willing to provide you with a copy of his report. Always ask for a copy of any official documentation, but if you are denied a copy take note of that fact and inform your attorney.

Seek Medical Attention
If emergency services respond to the scene of the accident, be sure to have medical personnel examine you at the scene. Often, you will be asked if you require a trip to the emergency room. It is a good idea to be further evaluated at a hospital. A visit to the emergency room will provide you with the diagnostic testing necessary to ensure you have not suffered internal injuries or a traumatic head injury that requires immediate attention.

Contact an experienced accident attorney.
An experienced accident attorney can help you navigate this difficult process. The experienced attorneys at our firm are available 24/7 to assist you. An attorney can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the full value of your claim during this stressful time.

Report your accident to the appropriate parties.
Depending on how your accident occurred, it may be necessary to inform an appropriate party. For example, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident it is important you notify your automobile insurance company. You should never give a statement to a party other than your own automobile or health insurance carrier. The insurance adjustors for the party responsible for your accident are not on your side. They will often seek to conclude your claim as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Your attorney will be able to inform you as to who needs to be contacted following your accident.

Do not discuss your case with any parties before consulting your attorney. Speaking to the other party’s insurance carrier or third parties could diminish the value of your claim. Comments made on social media also have the potential to damage your claim. Never discuss your claim with another party before consulting your attorney.

When you need the services of an accident injury lawyer, call our accident injury lawyers for a confidential consultation.