Important Steps to Take After a Car Crash

If you find yourself in a car crash, it's important to know exactly what to do after. It's easy to be shaken up and confused after an accident, which is why remembering these five things beforehand can help you know exactly what steps you need to follow to ensure that you are safe and supported.

1. Call For Help

If you or someone else is injured in a car accident in Atlanta, the first thing you should do is call for emergency services. Putting this off can have terrible ramifications and lead to injuries becoming worse, or potentially even death. Even if someone isn't injured, you should still at least call the police so that there will be an accident report on record that you can reference when filing a claim with your insurance.

2. Get Medical Treatment ASAP

Your safety and health after a car accident are paramount, and in 2019 medically consulted injuries in auto accidents totaled 4.5 million, with total injury costs estimated at around $463 billion. Injuries are incredibly common after auto accidents and even if you don't think an injury is bad, you'll want to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This is because adrenaline can often lessen the pain of injuries until it wears off, leaving you in more pain than your originally suspected.

3. Gather Important Information and Evidence

When filing a claim, you'll want to have all important information and evidence available so that you get the best result possible from your insurance agency. Try to get the names and contact information of witnesses, photos of the accident and surrounding area, photos of the damage, photos of your injuries, the date and time the accident took place, and detailed notes of everything you remember. You'll also want to keep all medical documents or documents pertaining to the accident such as towing costs and repairs.

4. Don't Admit Fault Until All Details Are Known

You never want to admit fault after an accident without knowing all of the details and seeing all of the evidence. Many drivers may think they are at fault, but once the evidence is evaluated it becomes evident that other factors were to blame such as mechanical failure or weather conditions. Your Atlanta car accident attorney may advise you to be careful when speaking to the police or other parties involved to avoid admitting any blame that could potentially be used against you.

5. Contact a Car Crash Attorney

Lastly, you may want to contact a car crash attorney to ensure that you can receive the best outcome possible. A car accident attorney can help negotiate with your insurance company to ensure they pay you a fair amount, and this can reduce the chance of your insurance company trying to settle quickly for much less than you deserve.

For a car crash attorney you can trust, contact The Fitzpatrick Firm, LLC today. We specialize in car accident and personal injury cases and can be reached in our Atlanta, GA office or at  (678) 607-5550. Let us help you win your case today!