Car accidents can leave you feeling shocked, overwhelmed, and confused about what to do next. However, if you want to protect your health and your legal rights, you should act quickly and decisively. Consider taking the following steps after a car accident in Green Bay, WI, to get the medical care you need and begin building a compelling personal injury case.
Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention
The safety of you and your passengers always comes first. Before you do anything, check yourself for injuries and see if anyone requires emergency medical attention. If anyone does, contact 911 right away and request EMS.
Even if you feel “okay” after an accident, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as internal damage or whiplash, may not show symptoms until long after the accident. Seeing your healthcare provider also provides vital documentation to support your car accident claim.
Call the Police
Call the authorities and report the accident. Dial 911 if it’s an emergency or the police if it’s not. The responding officer will create an accident report that documents key details about the accident, including the time, date, location, names of the involved parties, an accident diagram, and an initial fault assessment. Your attorney will use this report to begin building your claim.
Exchange Information (And Avoid Admitting Fault)
If possible, collect the names, contact information, license and plate numbers, and insurance details of all involved parties. If anyone witnessed the accident, gather their names and contact info, as they may provide useful testimony supporting your version of events.
It’s essential to remember that you should never apologize or admit fault after an accident. You rarely have the information needed to make an accurate fault assessment, and anything you say might be used against you down the line.
Document the Scene
Capture the accident scene by taking photos and videos of:
- Vehicle damage
- Vehicle positions
- Accident debris
- Skid marks
- Traffic signs and signals
- Road and weather conditions
- Visible injuries
This documentation can provide crucial visual confirmation supporting your claim when you seek compensation from the at-fault party.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Most auto insurance policies require you to report accidents to them within a certain amount of time, so don’t put off reporting the crash to them. However, you should also exercise significant caution when speaking with them. Only offer the basic facts, never speculate, never admit fault, and don’t offer any recorded statements without a skilled car accident lawyer near you.
Call a Green Bay Car Accident Attorney
Pursuing a personal injury claim independently can prove extremely difficult for car accident victims, particularly while they’re still healing. That’s why it’s critical that you contact a personal injury lawyer after a car accident as soon as possible. Your attorney can lead you through every step of the legal process, advocate for your best interests, and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. Furthermore, because most work on contingency, you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket attorney fees to get experienced legal help.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers at Schwaba Law Firm
Schwaba Law Firm can help you achieve the financial stability you need to continue on your road to recovery after a car accident turns your life upside down. We want to fight to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing. Contact us today for your free consultation.
