After a Car Accident
Immediately after a car accident, people are often in shock
and do not know what to do next. In order to protect yourself and your loved
ones, knowing how to properly proceed after an accident is essential. Here are
10 easy steps to take that will help you if an accident should ever occur:
- Call emergency services (911 in Toronto)
- Gather information from the parties involved and
any witnesses in the area
- Make notes on your personal observations
- Take photographs
- Record names and contact information of emergency
service personnel
- Notify loved ones, your employer, and / or your
school
- Keep all receipts from consequential expenses
related to the accident
- Make a log in the coming days / weeks / months
of how the accident has impacted you until a settlement has been achieved
- Contact a lawyer
- Contact your insurance company
Call Emergency
Services (911 in Toronto)
Whether there are obvious injuries or not, call emergency
services and get checked out by a professional. It is imperative to have any
personal injury officially documented if you need to refer to it at a later
date.
Gather Information
After emergency services have been notified, immediately
begin collecting information from those around you. This will include everyone
involved in the accident, and any witnesses in the area.
Make Notes
It is important to make observational notes at the scene of
the accident. Write down everything you can think of that would be of use to
your lawyer or insurance company later. This would include information such as:
- Where the accident occurred
- A detailed account of the accident
- Description of who was involved, including what
their state of mind seemed to be (ex. Alert, intoxicated, shocked, injured
etc.)
- Immediate damages noticed, etc.
Take Photographs
Take photographs of the accident scene, and any damages you
can observe. This will provide proof of damages and help you later when you
need to remember details about the accident.
Emergency Personnel
Records
Collect names and contact information from the emergency personnel
that arrived and worked at the scene of the accident. This will make it easier
for your representation to contact them at a later date if need be.
Notification
Notify loved ones, your employer, and / or school. Ensure
you have alternate transportation home in order to be safe and avoid further
damages or injury. Let your employer or school know that you have been involved
in an accident as early as possible in order to remedy any time you need to
take off for recovery.
Keep Receipts
Keep all receipts and documentation of any expenses that
could be remotely related to the accident.
Make a Log
Keep a log or diary of your life after the accident and how
it has affected you. Include everything from physical to mental impacts the
accident has had.
Contact a Lawyer
Get legal counsel as soon as possible. The impact a lawyer
can have on your case is immense. Lawyers experienced in motor accidents can best serve you when contacted sooner rather than later.
Contact Your
Insurance Company
After contacting a lawyer, notify your insurance company.
However, do not submit documentation, or a statement of injury without first
collaborating with your lawyer.