A Complete Guide, From the Collision to Your Insurance Claim
A car accident is an extremely staggering experience. Regardless of the amount of damage involved, the initial shock of a collision can be traumatic. Following the first impact, you are faced with a number of questions about what you should do next. The immediate uncertainty of your current situation will be the beginning of pondering long-term concerns about how the accident will affect your health and finances.
You probably feel like you are drowning in a multitude of potential decisions and courses of action. To avoid feeling completely overwhelmed, it is important to focus on the goals of maintaining safety and filing a comprehensive insurance claim. The support of a personal injury lawyer can guide you during this stressful time.
Ensure the Safety of Yourself and Your Passengers
After a car accident, the first and most important thing to do is make sure everyone in the car is safe. Check yourself for injuries, and move everyone to a safe area if possible. Walk over to the side of the road, and move your car out of the way if it is drivable. If not, use flares or some other sort of marker to warn other drivers about the car on the road.
You should call 911 as soon as possible, especially if there are any injuries. Obviously, medical attention is critical, but contacting law enforcement is important as well. The police should be present to file an accident report for insurance and legal purposes.
Gather Insurance Information and File a Claim
Once every person involved in the accident is safe and emergency services have arrived at the scene (or while waiting for the police if there are no serious injuries), begin the process of collecting information for insurance purposes.
Take pictures of all cars involved, note your location, and get the contact information of every driver, passenger, witness, and first responder. You should also speak with the present police officers about your accident report. It is important to know where to get your report or who to contact before leaving the scene. Likely, your insurance company will need the report for your claim.
You will also need to share car insurance information with the other drivers. In addition to their names and phone numbers, write down the name of their insurance company; their policy number; driver’s license number; license plate number; and the make, model, and color of their car.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If you are injured or even think you could be injured, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately. If you are injured, let EMS transport you to the hospital and get examined by the hospital’s emergency room physicians. If you think you are uninjured but later develop pain or discomfort, seek medical care without delay and follow the advice of your physician.
Contact a Myrtle Beach Car Accident Attorney
Being prepared for resulting processes in the wake of a car accident will hopefully minimize your mental and financial stress. A Myrtle Beach car accident attorney may be able to help. The law offices of Joye, Nappier, Risher & Hardin is available to offer advice after a car accident, either online or over the phone at (843) 357-6454. Contact us to discover your options and learn how we may be able to provide representation in the face of confusing insurance claims and recover the finances you deserve.