What To Do After a Car Accident
A car accident is often a stressful and perhaps even traumatic event. It can be overwhelming and confusing. You might need help with properly documenting the accident scene and working with the police on an accident report. You may worry that your insurance provider will not cover the full costs of your injuries.
Law enforcement officers may not understand what caused the accident in the first place. However, knowing what to do in the moments, days, and weeks after the accident can go a long way in aiding your recovery and also helping to ensure you get properly compensated for the damage caused by the accident.
For these reasons, one of the best things you can do is find a reputable Massachusetts car accident lawyer. Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers can help you manage the claims process and achieve justice.
Follow this car accident checklist for the best results.
1. Protect Yourself and Others
After a car accident, your immediate priority should be to get yourself and any passengers to a safe location. If your vehicle is drivable, move it to the side of the road or another safe area away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights — this way, you can prevent further collisions and alert other drivers about the situation.
Always be aware and cautious of your surroundings. Under no circumstances should you stand in the path of oncoming traffic while assessing the situation. Your safety must remain a top priority before addressing any other concerns.
2. Call 911
Calling 911 immediately after a Boston car accident will help make sure that law enforcement officially documents the incident. Even if the accident seems minor, having a police report can be super important, especially if you are not at fault.
The report provides an unbiased account of the scene, which can be key evidence when filing a car accident claim or if you need to prove the liability of other parties in a legal case. Additionally, a police report can help simplify the claims process with your insurance company.
3. Exchange Insurance and Contact Information
Although the police are responsible for compiling a report, they can miss some crucial details, especially in serious car accidents, where emergency services and safety are the priority. That’s why you should try to collect some information by yourself to secure your insurance claim.
You should also copy down some identifying information about the other vehicle involved in the accident. Important details are the driver’s insurance information, the license plate number, and the make and color of the vehicle.
4. Don’t Admit Fault
Even if you believe you may have been the cause of an accident, refrain from making statements regarding liability until you have had an opportunity to collect yourself. Some people will inadvertently state that they are sorry for causing the accident, although it was not their fault. Admitting fault for an auto accident, especially to the other driver or drivers involved, can complicate things greatly.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Many people injured in an accident do not feel pain for several days. Very often, symptoms such as pain, discomfort, soreness, stiffness, dizziness, or numbness may appear days or weeks after the incident. Accident victims don’t always realize that some injuries may not manifest in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
If you experience pain and/or discomfort right away or in the days and weeks following the accident, consult your primary care physician for an evaluation immediately. It’s not a bad idea to contact your doctor even if you are not showing immediate signs of injury. A medical professional can guide you on the best next steps. Documenting your injuries will be important when submitting the case for settlement or presenting it to a jury.
6. Take Pictures of Your Injuries Immediately
When considering what to do after a car accident in Massachusetts, it is imperative that you document any injuries as soon as possible. Clear, detailed photos can provide solid evidence of the harm you sustained when the accident occurred. When dealing with the insurance company, these images help prove the severity of your injuries and support your claim.
Make sure to capture different angles, focusing on any visible bruising, cuts, or swelling. If you’re unable to take photos yourself, ask a friend or family member to assist you. Attorneys are often able to raise the value of a case significantly with the aid of pictures taken immediately after an accident.
7. Take Notes
Be sure to take notes on as much as you remember from the incident as possible. Make notes about all the things mentioned above, but also document other important details, such as the time of the accident, what you might have been doing immediately before the accident, and what happened after. Write down and save photos of where the car was before it was moved (if applicable).
The key here is to have as much information as possible to share with the police officer on the scene. This will also come in handy later if you decide to file a claim or need to share information with an insurance agent.
8. Cooperate with Emergency Personnel and Law Enforcement
When you have been in a car accident, your nerves may be on edge. You may worry about how much to share and whether to keep to yourself. However, for all parties involved, it is best to cooperate fully with emergency medical services, the police, and anyone else on the scene who is there to help.
Be honest and forthcoming with any information they request. Your cooperation helps them provide the appropriate care and makes sure accurate information is included in the police report.
9. Talk to Witnesses and Record Contact Information
If anyone witnessed your accident, try to talk to them. Ask them what they saw, and if what they observed confirms what you think to have happened, ask them directly whether they are ready to be a witness. Not everyone may want to be a part of a Massachusetts car accident case, but if the response is affirmative, get their contact information and urge them to stay until the police arrive. Write down their name, phone number, address, and email.
A witness’s account can provide an impartial perspective that supports your version of events, which may be very helpful when determining liability. Having a witness who can corroborate your story could strengthen your case when dealing with insurance companies or in court. This is a key step in your checklist for what to do after a car accident.
10. Reach Out to Your Insurance Company
If you have followed the steps above, you will be well-prepared to contact your insurance company and share details of your Massachusetts car accident. Gather all your notes, photos, the police report, and any other relevant evidence and provide them to the insurance agency.
Even if it only resulted in minor vehicle damage, having all the details ready ensures that your claim process goes smoothly. When talking to the insurance representatives, give them an accurate account of the incident. This will help them assess the situation and determine the next steps of your claim.
11. Contact a Lawyer
It is no secret that involving a Boston car accident attorney gives you the best shot at recovering a large settlement or court judgment. Motor vehicle accident cases are incredibly complicated, and you will likely need help navigating the auto accident claim.
Insurance companies very regularly offer unrepresented individuals lowball settlements because they know they are unfamiliar with case value. If you want to pursue compensation and go after the driver at fault for the accident, working with an experienced lawyer is your best bet for a personal injury lawsuit or for obtaining compensation from your own insurance company.
Most personal injury attorneys provide a free consultation. It is better to sit down and speak with a Massachusetts car accident lawyer and refrain from signing up with their firm than to talk to no one at all. You can get more than the insurer coverage if you have the support of an attorney who understands Massachusetts law and has experience in claim negotiations.
Client Reviews
Denis and Micheal were both very understanding of my feelings and kept assuring me that they will help me get everything done and sort out post my car accident. This is my first time going through this process and so far it’s been very smooth and helpful!
Grace mosallam
A collision of motor vehicles is not just a huge inconvenience that interrupts daily activities and creates unwanted stress. It can also result in injuries and property damage. We hope this Massachusetts car accident checklist is useful if you are faced with these circumstances. Now you know what to do after a car accident in Massachusetts and can minimize the stresses most people encounter.
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Car accident fast tips
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to any delayed pain, stiffness, or headaches, and don’t ignore symptoms that could indicate a more serious injury.
- IME: Your insurance may schedule you for an independent medical evaluation. Having legal representation, proper treatment with organized documentation will help provide an evaluation beneficial to your case.
- Social Media: Shut down your social media accounts until your case is complete. Insurance companies frequently check social media and payment applications for information to use against you.
- Keep Receipts: Out of pocket expenses used to further your treatment may be considered as damages (Ubers, Lyfts, miles/gas receipts etc).
- Doctors Notes: If you need to miss work due to your injury or treatment, always get a doctor’s notes identifying your full or partial disability (either from your PCP or the provider and save a copy for your attorney).
- Track your appointments- Insurance companies frequently argue “Gaps” in treatment as a means to discount your injuries and the value of your case. If you are seeing a specialist, get proof of when the appointment was scheduled, understanding some providers do have a wait. You may want to look around for another provider who can see you quickly (some providers are doing remote or telehealth).
