When you experience a car accident, it can prove very stressful and disorienting. In the heat of the moment after the accident, you may not know what to do first or how to protect yourself in the situation.
If you know that you suffered an injury of some kind, or if someone in your vehicle needs immediate medical attention, prioritize seeking out professional medical care as soon as possible. This may mean calling an ambulance, for instance.
Unfortunately, the most important time surrounding a car accident are the minutes and hours immediately after the accident occurs. Realistically, you may not have the ability to examine the scene and collect evidence to support a future claim or refute one if your attention is rightly focused on addressing medical care needs.
You may find it valuable to call an attorney to come out to the scene of the accident and assess it. An experienced attorney may offer many important services in the immediate aftermath of an accident that may prove very useful in the long run. An experienced attorney can also speak with other parties on your behalf or advise you about what you should and shouldn’t say, protecting your rights and interests.
The importance of thoroughly documenting the accident
Depending on the severity of the accident, the other vehicles involved, and the location of the accident itself, the scene may be swept away within an hour or two, making it very difficult to identify important aspects of the accident itself.
If you choose to call an attorney to the scene of the accident, you can relax and let him or her examine the scene and gather evidence, while you focus on your own needs.
An attorney has a much clearer understanding of which pieces of evidence from an accident scene may prove the most useful later on, whereas this may not be on the forefront of your mind, understandably. He or she may interview other parties involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses, to understand the causes of the accident.
An attorney can also document the scene by taking pictures and video footage of the scene. It may also be possible to secure surveillance video from security cameras of nearby businesses and residences.
Protect your rights immediately
An attorney also helps advise you against assuming responsibility at the scene or saying anything that another party may later claim is an admission of fault. These matters can prove surprisingly complex, and it is always wise to have someone else on your side, looking out for your interests.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced attorney if you find yourself in a car accident and need the protection and assistance that an attorney may offer.
