What to Do After an Auto Accident
You cannot predict when you will be involved in a car accident. When you get involved in one, there are a number of things you should and should not do, even if you are not injured. Below are some tips that will help to ensure you interest is taken care of after the accident:
Stay at the Scene
When the accident happens, you should stay at the scene until law enforcers allow you to leave. Read more about it at http://www.siegfriedandjensen.com/practice-areas/auto-accidents. This usually happens when the accident involved sever injuries or substantial damage to property. If you are not sure on the severity of the accident, it's better to stay on the scene rather than leave. Leaving the scene can result to your license being suspended and even criminal charges being brought against you.
Take Care of the Injured
Check that everyone involved in the accident is alive and fine. If there is anyone that is bleeding profusely, try to stop the bleeding by tying a cloth around the bleeding area. If you know how to administer first aid, try to help. Do not move anyone that is injured. Also, call the police to report the accident and request for assistance from an emergency medical unit.
If the medical unit offers to examine you, do not refuse even if you feel fine. Learn on why this is by checking this url for details. You may have some unseen injuries, such as internal bleeding, which can be fatal if not treated on time. Moreover, if you fail to get checked, the other driver may argue in court later that you were not hurt since you refused the medical checkup offered.
Get Information About the Accident
Get as much information as you can at the scene of the accident. This information can be helpful when the police arrive and in future investigations. To begin, get the contact information, insurance information, and license plate number of the driver involved in the accident. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident and the police officers that arrive at the scene.
You can also not the location of the accident and use your smartphone camera to take photos of the cars, road, and property damaged. Other things you can note include the weather condition, lighting, traffic control devices, and speed limits
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After the accident, you may want the driver involved to compensate you. Read more about it at http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/333070/lawyer. If the accident is not severe, you can agree with the driver on the compensation amount. However, if the accident is fatal, for example you broke some bones, it's advisable to hire an attorney to help you get a settlement.
