A Guide by Attorney Mark Nicholson

No car accident is ever the same. Something as small as a driver checking their email or as massive as a multi-vehicle pile-up will always vary based on thousands of different influences. However, almost all situations require paying close attention to what has occurred so you can be justly compensated for personal injury.

While your unique situation may vary, there are some basic steps you should always take after an unfortunate car accident. Our role at the Law Office of Mark Nicholson is to empower you, so when it happens, you are ready.

Step 1: Safety and Injuries

Always start by prioritizing your personal safety and the well-being of those in your vehicle. Check for injuries immediately and assess your and your passengers’ overall ability to move around. Make sure your car is out of the way of dangerous traffic, and avoid moving anyone unless absolutely necessary. Your instinct to save someone else can sometimes exacerbate internal injuries.

Step 2: Get Medical Help

Even if you feel like a million dollars, you need to seek medical help after a car accident. There are many personal injury cases that we see because a driver was unaware of a neck injury due to the adrenaline masking the pain during the situation. You must receive a thorough medical examination both for your personal health and as a record for any future legal actions.

Step 3: Contact Authorities

Next, you need to report the accident to an appropriate law enforcement official. That police report is crucial in your upcoming case or any personal injury claims. Police will arrive, take statements, take photos, and document any factual information that can serve as evidence later in your situation.

Step 4: Exchange Information

It is okay and shows you are being responsible for exchanging relative information with the other drivers in a car accident. Collect names, contact details, and insurance information. However, never admit fault of any kind during your interactions. You want to use as few words as possible so the other drivers cannot use that information against you in a future claim.

Step 5: Gather Evidence

Document anything and everything! Take out your smartphone and take photos of the scene from multiple angles. Be sure to show the damage, relative road signs, different landmarks, witness accounts, and other people at the location. All the evidence you collect will impact how your personal injury claim moves forward.

Step 6: Notify Insurance

After a car accident, you want to notify your insurance company. While giving them the outlines of what has occurred is good, you do not wish to provide information that can be used to lower compensation.

That is why this step should also include contacting our team at the Law Office of Mark Nicholson. We ensure you receive the fair and accurate compensation you need after a car accident occurs. Personal injury can affect the rest of your life, making it hard to work or feel emotionally stable. Our team will help you navigate through the process so you are fairly compensated for your vehicle, medical bills, and any other considerations. Contact us today, and let’s get started. Call 317-667-0718.