Got Tangled in a Car Accident? Here’s What to Do

So, you might not know what to do if you get into a car accident. We will take you through the steps from the moment of impact to what to do afterward. Getting involved in an accident can be both confusing and frightening. When you need to know what to do in the event of an accident, it’s best to always consult with your attorney first. Check out some quick tips on how to handle things and what not to say or do!

Get Legal Representation

If you’ve been involved in an accident, the first step is to call your lawyer. Don’t offer a statement about what happened and don’t admit fault without consulting with your attorney. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what steps to take if they come to you later. After all, it’s best not to say something that may hurt your case. If you’ve been in an accident in Maryland, you can contact a car accident attorney over in Baltimore to help with your case. This is necessary because a lawyer will be able to protect your interests and fight for you. If you think a police officer is going to show up, tell them that you have an attorney and not to worry about taking a statement from you now. You can always give a statement later on when they come to see you at home or the hospital if necessary.

Don’t Discuss Fault

Once again, it’s best not to say anything about what happened without consulting with your attorney first. Even though it might seem like common sense, we’ll remind you: don’t talk about who was at fault! When people get into car accidents, they often start blaming each other. This greatly affects the outcome of their case and may make things worse for both parties involved. If you’re getting into an accident with someone, keep your mouth shut. Yes, it may be frustrating to find out that the other person is trying to get away with something but this is not the time or place for any discussion about who’s at fault.

Wait for the Police

Yes, you should wait for the police report after a car accident. It can often take law enforcement days to come out and get statements from everyone involved in the incident. However, if they do not show up then you should call them yourself after waiting some time just in case. The last thing that you want is to have them come back again because of an oversight on your part. Keep some sort of record of how long you waited before calling them yourself. However, if you’re injured and you need medical treatment, then go to the hospital first even if the police haven’t shown up yet. Even if it’s not your fault, do not make excuses or try to talk yourself out of it when talking with police officers. 

Stay in Your Car Unless the Fire Alarm is On

It’s best to stay in your car after an accident if possible. If you get out, you could be struck by another vehicle and hurt more than before. You can always ask a cop or other authorities for help if you need it! After the accident has been handled and police officers have told you how to proceed next, do not attempt to drive off even if the vehicles aren’t in the way of traffic. Park where you’re instructed and wait for someone who can help with repairs or tow trucks to arrive. This is important because you could get cited for leaving the scene of an accident if you don’t wait. 

Don’t Worry about Insurance Right Away

It’s not necessary to know the other driver’s insurance information right away after a car accident. It’s best if you wait until police officers have taken your statement and all involved parties have exchanged their contact information. Only then should you worry about the insurance and getting in touch with the authorities. Stay calm and let everyone else handle this for now. When it comes to insurance in general, you should first contact your own insurance company and let them handle everything else. You might be able to claim damages such as medical bills, property damage, and more.

Don’t Give Out Your Insurance Information

You should not give out your insurance information unless the other driver requests it or you’re told to do so by law enforcement officers. Otherwise, let your attorney handle this for now. They can contact all parties involved and come to an agreement on how damages will be handled. After they’ve received all statements, the attorney will present them to you before any action is taken. You don’t want to worry about resolving these issues now when you have bigger things to think about like medical treatment and recovery. Also, don’t sign any forms until you have taken a look at them.

Don’t Fill Out an Accident Report

You should not fill out an accident report unless required by law enforcement authorities. After all, the other driver may have insurance that covers the damage done in the accident or their deductible might cover it. Whether or not this is true, it’s best to leave everything up to your attorney who can investigate everything first before giving you any advice. Remember, they are on your side and will only give you advice after learning more about what happened during the incident. If the other side’s accident report doesn’t match yours, then it’s their problem to deal with.

Before you call your attorney, take pictures of everything that happened including both vehicles if possible. Explain what happened in detail as well as where it took place and where everyone was standing during the accident. This is the time to write down any details that could be important later on. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t try to handle the insurance yourself. Let your attorney do all the work for you! They will contact everyone involved as well as their insurance companies and make sure that nothing falls through the cracks like missed deadlines or incomplete records.