When you’ve been in a car accident, the first few moments are a rush of emotions. You feel confused, scared, possibly angry, and in pain. You’re not sure what happened or what to do next.
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, this is the time when it’s most vital to take the right steps to ensure you have the best shot at getting any money you’re owed for your losses.
Continue reading for a checklist to help you know what to do after a serious car accident and learn how the right Indianapolis car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal side of things.
Remain Calm
The first step is to try to remain calm. Assess your personal situation, determine if you’ve been hurt, and take a breath. In the midst of the chaos that follows a car accident, the more you’re able to stay calm, the better off you’ll be in avoiding errors that could be costly down the road.
Call Paramedics and Police
Calling first responders is essential. Your health and safety should always be the number one priority. Even if you don’t feel hurt, you may be running on adrenaline and some injuries can take time to arise.
Secondly, having police on the scene allows for a police report to be filed. This can serve as a valuable piece of evidence later down the road to support your claim.
Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Next, check on everyone else involved. If the vehicles can be safely moved out of the road, then do so carefully. If not, then move yourself and others who are able to safety. The goal is to make sure there are no further injuries or accidents as a chain reaction while you’re waiting for help.
Exchange Driver Information
Next, talk to the other driver and exchange contact and insurance information. When doing so, it’s alright to ask if they’re okay, but never apologize. Saying you’re sorry in any way can give the other driver’s insurance company something to use against you later. Keep things formal and polite and simply exchange the necessary information.
Talk to Other Witnesses and Document the Scene
Get as many photographs of the accident scene and your injuries as you possibly can. Make notes for yourself about what happened and even sketch diagrams if you’re able. This will help you remember things more accurately in the future and can help support your claim.
Speak to any witnesses and get their contact information. The more details and evidence you can gather, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to negotiate a settlement.
Call an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, call our Indianapolis car accident lawyers at Ken Nunn Law Office. Most likely, the other driver’s insurance company will contact you in the days after your accident and try to offer you a lowball settlement. If this happens, it’s important that you don’t sign or accept anything. Instead, refer them to your attorney, so we can demand what’s fair and remind them who the injured party is.
Ken Nunn Law Office has spent over 50 years fighting to protect the rights of people injured in accidents in Indiana. Contact our law offices today at 1-800-CALL-KEN or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
