What to Do If You Are Injured in a Car Accident

Since accidents are unplanned occurrences, you can panic and get confused when it happens. Unfortunately, your actions after the accident may determine the direction of your personal injury lawsuit. 

Therefore, you should know what to do in case of an accident-related injury. Read on to learn about what to do if you are injured in a car accident.



After a car accident, you should ensure everybody is safe. If no one is seriously injured, move to a safe distance, but don't leave the scene. Ask for help from other motorists if someone is seriously injured.



Once everyone is out of the car, assess yourself and the passengers for injuries and call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. Give the exact location of the accident and be ready to provide any information they may request. Do not hang up before they have gotten all the information they need. 



Never leave the scene before the arrival of the police; you will be required to make a police report, which is crucial for the future personal injury claim. Though you can photograph the accident scene, you may not document it like the police:

• They will speak to the witnesses
• They can assess the scene to determine who is at fault 
• They know exactly what needs to be documented in an accident scene

Most people may not do all these things after an accident due to confusion and pain from the injuries.



Take several photos of the accident scene, the damaged vehicles, and anything else that may provide a clue about the cause of the accident and the at-fault party. Evidence, in this case, includes street signs and lights, skid marks, faulty vehicle parts (like turn signals), etc. 

Ensure that the scene stays as untouched as possible until the police arrive and finalize their report. If someone tampers with the evidence, record a video, and tell your attorney about it.



While you can talk with the other driver as you wait for the authorities, you should not make any side deal with them, even if they admit that they are at fault and show remorse. No matter the amount offered, you may end up spending more on hospital bills and recovery.



Though most insurance companies require the insured to contact them after an accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer first, especially if you feel that the insurance company may reject your claim. However, to avoid rejection of the claim, do not exceed the timeframe provided by your insurer.

If you have never hired a personal injury attorney, ask for referrals from friends and family, or look for one online. The attorney should be experienced and easily accessible.



As stated earlier, anything you do or say after a car accident can have a huge impact on your case. Avoid discussing your case with third parties, except your attorney and doctor to keep your information confidential - the doctor and attorney are ethically bound to keep your conversations confidential.

If you must talk about the case or negotiate with third parties, only do it in the presence of your attorney, even if it is with your insurer's agent.

Now that you are aware of what to do in case you get involved in an accident, you can better understand how to handle the accident and other complications that may arise. Contact us today for all your personal injury attorney needs.