Whether you were the at-fault driver or not, being involved in a car accident is a scary experience. Even if no one is injured and your car only has minor damage, you may still have a fight with your insurance company to cover the cost of repairing your vehicle. You will face an even bigger hurdle if you are injured in the accident. Knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can alleviate some of the stress surrounding the situation. Here are three steps you should always take after being involved in an accident.
Get a Police Report
If the accident was just a little fender-bender, you may be tempted to pretend that it didn’t happen and not call the police. However, there you be hidden damage that you don’t notice right away, so it is always best to get the police to make a report of the accident. This report is a critical piece of evidence if you have to take your claim to court, so make sure you have one in case you need to contact a car accident lawyer Hernando County FL.
Take Pictures
Pictures are another type of evidence that documents what happened in the accident. It is a good idea to take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident, paying special attention to the damage each car sustained. You may also want to document traffic signs, skid marks, road hazards and weather conditions so you can get the compensation you deserve if the accident wasn’t your fault.
Seek Medical Attention
If you feel okay after a car accident, you may not want to get checked out by a doctor. However, some injuries don’t appear until a few hours or even a few days after the accident, and if the health conditions aren’t documented by a medical professional, you won’t be entitled to compensation. It is best to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician immediately after the accident for a complete physical.
Car accidents are scary situations and you hope you are never involved in one, but knowing what to do right after an accident can help you feel prepared if you ever find yourself in that unfortunate scenario. By using these three steps, you can build a solid case for your insurance company so you receive the compensation you deserve whether you have to take your case to court or not.