Raleigh, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Explain What You Should Do After a Car Accident:
Car accidents and injuries occur every day, and our Raleigh car accident lawyers recognize how frustrating these situations can be. If you or someone you know is in a car accident, our Raleigh personal injury attorneys recommend taking the following steps to protect your rights in the event of an insurance dispute or litigation with another driver.
Step 1 in an NC Accident: Ensure Everyone is Safe
First, check whether you, your passengers, or anyone in the other vehicle sustained injuries. Call emergency services. If the accident happened in a high-traffic or dangerous area, move yourself and your vehicle, if you can, out of harm’s way to protect others on the road.
Things To Note If You Want to Pursue Damages:
- If you or someone in your vehicle was injured, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Insurance companies and defense counsel often attempt to discredit injuries when victims do not receive prompt medical care, even if the injuries were in fact caused by the crash. Injuries may not be immediately visible at the time of impact, so it is best to consult a medical professional who can diagnose or advise on potential invisible injuries without waiting days or weeks after an accident.
- While some may not deem it necessary to call the police, in situations where someone is injured, the damage is over $1,000, or you suspect a motor vehicle violation, it is important to do so. A police report can assign fault and in turn, expedite the settlement process when seeking damages. Otherwise, it may be easy for insurance companies to find a way to subscribe 1% fault to you, making you unable to recover damages.
Step 2 in an NC Accident: Document the Scene
Once you ensure everyone’s safety, document the accident thoroughly. If you can do so safely and before anything is moved, use your phone to photograph damage, vehicle positions, road signs, debris, skid marks, fluid leaks, airbag deployment, and license plates. Take as many photos and notes as possible since you may not know what details will be important later.
Step 3 in an NC Accident: Find Witnesses and Collect Their Contact Information
If witnesses are present, including the other driver and bystanders, collect their contact information. Car accidents often come down to conflicting accounts, as few witnesses remain at the scene. By gathering contact information, you, your insurance adjuster, or your attorney can later reach out to discuss what the witnesses observed. When speaking with a witness, aim to establish the following details:
- How did they come upon the scene?
- Whether and how well they could see the accident happen
- The conditions on the roadway, including visibility and weather;
- Their observations regarding what each vehicle was doing preceding the accident.
- Their observations of the accident itself, including estimates of speed based on their own, the distance between the vehicles, and any sudden movements taken by any driver.
Step 4: Contact a North Carolina Car Accident Injury Lawyer
Sometimes, you may be unable to take these protective steps at the scene. If you have questions about your accident, face challenges with the insurance company, or feel uncertain about your next steps, contact our experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyers. We offer free, confidential consultations, and our attorneys are ready to discuss your concerns without charge.