It seems like no matter how many times we explain to people what steps you need to take immediately after a car crash, they still make minor mistakes that can jeopardize their case. So, in this article we plan on explaining again what three things you need to do in the moments and days after your car crash. By the time you meet with your Riverdale accident attorney, a couple of days will have already gone by.
Our goal, if we do decide to represent you, is that we can reach out to the insurance carrier that same day. This is why it’s so important that you contact our office and speak with a Riverdale injury lawyer the same day of your car crash if possible. If not, we understand their injuries may be so serious that you’re not in a position to meet for at least a few days. As long as you reach out to us as soon as you’re ready to talk, that’s the best we can ask from you.
Here, we are going to discuss the three main things you need to do immediately following your Riverdale car crash. If you still have questions about your own car accident case, feel free to contact our office directly. We can schedule your free consultation with one of our Riverdale accident attorneys right over the phone or you can do so through our website.
You Must Call 911 Immediately
It should go without saying that you need to call 911 immediately after the car crash. No matter what the other driver asks you to do, you need to stand firm on this. Not only are you required to report any accident to the police by law, but it makes common sense too. You have no idea who you’re dealing with on the side of the road after a car crash. You don’t know if they gave you the right contact information or name. You certainly don’t know if they’re giving you the right insurance information. And since you have no way to confirm this information, it’s in your best interest to contact 911.
The police will come out to the car crash scene and do a thorough investigation. They will meet with any eyewitnesses to the event and get their contact information. They will take pictures of the damaged vehicles as well as the road conditions. Also, they will get statements from both the drivers and put those statements in their police report. And they will also include information as to whether or not the drivers were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. This isn’t some information that your Riverdale accident attorney will not have access to at any point once the crash site is cleared.
You Must Go to the Emergency Room and Get Examined by a Doctor
The second most important thing you need to do immediately after your car crash is go to the emergency room. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, you must get checked out by a licensed physician. Once you arrive at the emergency room, a doctor will be assigned to examine you. This doctor will ask you a host of questions about the accident. They will also do the necessary diagnostic tests to see if you’re hurt. These tests may include any or all of the following:
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT scan
- physical examination
- neurological examination
These tests will help your doctor as well as your Riverdale accident attorney prepare your case against the other driver. If you refuse medical treatment or you don’t go to the hospital, there will be no way for your Riverdale injury lawyer to confirm that you suffered any physical injuries. They will need a copy of your medical records. It is very difficult if not impossible to sue someone for damages when there is no proof that you were involved in the accident. This is why we recommend you call our office and speak to us by yourself this is possible after the accident
Be Upfront and Honest with Your Riverdale Injury Lawyer
We understand that nobody ever wants to admit that it was their fault that they were in a car crash. Even if it’s clear that the other driver primarily caused the crash, you may have done something to contribute to it a little bit. This is why we ask that when we meet with you for the first time, you be up front and as honest as you possibly can be. It’s your Riverdale injury lawyer’s job to prove your case and get you as much money as possible.
The last thing you want to do is allow them to get blindsided when the defense attorney brings something up that we weren’t aware of. For example, if you were texting at the time that the other driver hit you, you need to let us know up front. It will come out at some point that you were texting and driving. If we don’t know about it, it will look like we were trying to hide it. This will not bode well for you in court. As long as you are upfront honest with your Riverdale injury attorney, and we can prove fault, there’s a good chance you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
You must remember that very rarely only one driver is 100% at fault for a car crash. None of us are perfect. The more information you provide your Riverdale accident lawyer, the more they can do to prepare your case.
We suggest that you contact our office as soon as possible after your car crash. In fact, as pointed out above, we suggest you meet with us before you even file your auto insurance claim. We don’t charge any of our new clients for their initial consultation. Nor do you pay our firm anything upfront. Our office is not paid until we win or settle your case. So call today and set up a date and time that works for you to come into the office.
