Car accidents aren't something you can plan for. They happen all the time. Whether it be when you are on your way to work, school, the grocery store, or somewhere else, an accident can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. Even though you don't plan on being injured, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. There are a few things you need to do to make sure you don't end up getting shorted on the amount of money you are supposed to receive. Here are three things you need to do within the first 48 hours of being in your accident.
File a police report.
One of the first things you need to do after being in a car accident is to make sure you have a police report filed. Regardless of how small or insignificant you might think the accident was, a police report is essential to getting your vehicle repaired and compensated for your injuries. Without a police report, it can be difficult to determine what happened and who was at fault. This report says far more than what you might realize.
Take pictures of the scene.
If at all possible, you need to take pictures of the accident scene, your vehicle and your injuries. Take as many pictures as you possibly can because they are going to help paint a picture of what happened and what the weather was like on the day in question. Taking pictures of your injuries also shows the insurance company and the court what it is that you are dealing with and how your recovery is progressing. Pictures can say a lot about what happened.
Get checked out by a doctor.
You also need to make sure you get checked out by a medical professional. They will be able to determine how bad your injuries are and what you can expect in terms of the recovery process. Without a doctor report on file, it makes it hard to say what your injuries are and ask the insurance company to compensate you for them. Getting checked out isn't an option. It is more of a requirement.
By doing the three things above as quickly as you can, you can make sure you walk away from the whole incident with as much money as possible. While you cannot always prevent an accident from occurring, you can make sure you don't lose out too much in the end.
Talk to an auto accident attorney as soon as possible for additional help.