Have You Been in a Car Accident That Is Not Your Fault? Here Is What You Need to Do
Car accidents cause countless injuries and fatalities each year. No matter how careful you are, you may still get involved in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence. If you have been in a car crash that is not your fault, knowing what to do immediately after the accident can help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve for the damages to your property, injuries, and more.
To know your legal rights and state laws, talk to a car accident lawyer in your area and find out how you can claim compensation for an accident that is not your fault. Here are some steps that you should take immediately after the accident:
Stay Safe
What is the possibility of a frequent driver to end up in car wrecks? Certainly, no one wants to end up in an accident, still, it is important to be aware of the steps to be taken in case of an unfortunate situation.
First things first- ensure that you are safe after an accident. If possible, get out of the vehicle and also check if your passengers are safe. Try to ensure that your vehicle is safe and out of the way of traffic to prevent any other accident.
However, if an aggressive driver caused the accident, you should avoid confrontation; stay locked in your car if it is safe, or drive to the nearest police department. Aggressive drivers can be violent and try to make the other driver admit fault.
Call the Police
One of the first calls that you should make immediately after the accident is 911. The police are vital to your accident report. While at the scene, the police will preserve evidence, help to determine the at-fault party, gather evidence, driver’s information, witness statements, issue tickets, citations, and more that can help with your claim.
Gather Information
While at the scene, get the at-faults driver’s license, car registration, and insurance information. If they are aggressive, you can note their vehicle’s plate number before you drive off. You should also get the name and badge number of the police who arrived at the scene and witness statements and information.
Take clear photographs of the scene, including the vehicle’s damage, skid marks, traffic lights, and more. You should also write a description of the weather conditions at the time of the accident and any other information you can remember. You should also be careful what you say to the police or the at-fault driver. You might say something that can affect your claim. You are not legally required to give details about the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Getting the right medical attention immediately after the accident is vital to your claim and your health. You will need the medical bills, records, and a doctors’ reports to prove that you sustained injuries from the accident and how much the treatment costs were.
Go to the hospital even if you don’t feel hurt because some injuries stay hidden, and failing to diagnose them in time can be risky. You may also not get compensated for such injuries if you did not see a doctor after the accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You should contact your insurer even if you are not-at-fault. Though the at-fault insurance will compensate you for the damage to your property, injuries, and more, they can claim that you were partly to blame, and, in this case, your insurer will use the evidence you have to challenge them. This is also necessary if you are in a no-fault state.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
Knowing what to do if you have been in a car crash that is not your fault will help you have a valid claim. To ensure that your legal rights to compensation are protected, get in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer in your area as soon as possible. They will advise you on what you should do to ensure that you are fairly compensated.
