Nobody expects to get into a car accident when they get behind the wheel. It happens to nearly every driver at least once in their lives, however. Whether you’re on the highway or a city street, it only takes one negligent driver – one who was speeding, driving recklessly or was texting – to cause an accident that can leave you injured.
When you’ve been involved in a collision, things change quickly. You heard the crash. You felt your body move from the force of impact. You’ll feel disoriented. There will be a lot of questions going through your head all at once. What just happened? Am I hurt? Is anybody else hurt? Should I move my car?
There’s another one that’s very common: What do I do now?
There are going to be a lot of things to think about in the coming days and weeks. In the minutes and hours following the crash, however, you’ll want to take steps to protect your health and your rights to recover compensation.
Here are five things to get just after your car accident that can help you do both.
- Get the police.
You might think your accident seems too minor to get the police involved. Call them anyway. Police can make sure the accident scene is safe while things get sorted out. They can also make out a report that documents information you will need when seeking compensation.
- Get medical attention.
There are two reasons why this is a good idea, even if you think you are fine. The first reason is to make sure that you really are OK and haven’t suffered a head injury or internal injury. The second is that it creates a written record of injuries you did suffer.
- Get some pictures.
If you are able, use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene. Try to get all vehicles involved, and include any damage. Take pictures of the location, including any curves in the road, road conditions and any nearby traffic signs or signals. If possible, take pictures of injuries you have suffered.
- Get information.
As you are able, gather some information. Ask for the name and contact information of the other driver and any witnesses. Ask for the driver’s insurance information. Write down the make, model and year of the car, as well as the license plate number. Also write down a brief account of what happened while your memory is fresh.
- Get legal advice.
As soon as possible following the accident, contact an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can review the details of your accident, explain your rights and go over your legal options for recovering compensation. While Pennsylvania gives you two years from the date of crash to take legal action, it’s important to get advice as soon as you can.
The car accident lawyers at Romanow Law Group help people who have been injured recover the financial compensation they deserve. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Pittsburgh or anywhere in western Pennsylvania, call 1-844-GET-MORE to schedule a free consultation.