Millions of people suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents every year. Confusion and uncertainty combined with the pain of injuries in those early moments after the collision. If you are able, take specific steps to protect your rights, particularly when the accident is not your fault.
Proactive measures are paramount
Focusing on protecting yourself and any passengers is of paramount importance post-collision. Remain at the scene of the accident if the location is safe. At the very least, stay as close to the crash location as possible. From there, call for emergency medical assistance. While you wait for help, assess any potential injuries to you and the passengers in the vehicle. If someone in the car suffered severe injuries, do your best to provide aid until help arrives.
From there, exchange information with the other motorist or motorists involved in the collision if possible. That includes the names and addresses of everyone in the vehicle and license plate numbers. Contact information from witnesses is also vital should legal action become necessary.
Document the accident scene
While challenging, documenting the scene with pictures of all vehicles involved and injuries suffered. Also, putting pen to paper helps you to confirm your side of the story while the events are still fresh in your memory. These steps of vital if there is an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
While communicating with drivers, be careful what you say to other drivers, passengers, and, most important, law enforcement. While it is tempting to apologize, saying as little as possible can make a difference. Simply put, do not admit any fault in the crash
