What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Car Accident? Let’s Find Out

Life is unpredictable, and you never know when an unexpected incident might disrupt your entire life. A car accident is one of such incidents. It can leave you so shaken and confused that you are hardly able to figure out what to do next. The first 24 hours following the accident are the most crucial because this is when you have to understand the probable impact of the accident on your health, finances, and legal rights, and what you can do to protect all of these. So, here is a quick list of all that you need to do in the first 24 hours following a car accident that leaves you baffled.

·         Check for Injuries and Move to a Safe Zone

Of course, your priority is to ensure your safety. So, check for the injuries for yourself and the others. Call 911 immediately if any of you have suffered severe injuries. In case, by God’s grace, you seem to be fine, get up and take a few deep breaths to get over the adrenaline rush. Soon after, move your vehicle out of the traffic, turn on the hazard lights, and wait or call for help in a safe place.

·         Report to the Police

Regardless of the accident's intensity, reporting the incident to the police is mandatory. It is only with a police report that you get an objective report of everything that has happened. If the accident turns out to be entirely the fault of the other party, you will find yourself searching for ‘car accident lawyers near me’, probably the very next day. So, a police report of the incident with accurate details is indispensable. Stay calm throughout the process to obtain the correct report.

·         Gather Information

As already mentioned, once you have managed the injuries or sought medical care and treatment, and the police report is complete, it is time to pursue your due compensation and justice. And for a successful insurance claim or a legal process that turns out to be in your favor, you need to gather as much Information as possible. Whenever an accident occurs, there is clearly another party involved. So, obtain the full names and contact details of all parties, note the driver’s license numbers, and also record the vehicle's make, model, and license plate number. If there are witnesses to the accident, politely ask for their names and contact details as well. You have no idea how valuable these will be when a case is in court and fault is disputed.

·         Notify Your Insurance Company and Seek Legal Help

These might seem to be two different tasks, but they should be done simultaneously as a single step. Report the accident to your insurance company with all facts and no speculations. Understand your policy rights in detail before agreeing to record your statement. Most importantly, remember that you are not required to speak with the other party’s insurance provider even if they happen to contact you.

Get legal help from an expert agency like the hhjtrialattorneys.com, almost immediately, to ensure that a personal injury attorney is by your side should there be any disputes or even delays in the insurance matters. The earlier you consult them, the fairer your compensation and the less likely you are to make costly mistakes.

Finally, the first 24 hours following a car accident is your time to focus on safety, documentation, and protection of your future. Stay composed and follow the above steps to emerge from the unfortunate situation with confidence.