Some days run perfectly smoothly. However, there are the days when significant problems arise. The day you are in a car accident is one of those days. You suddenly have to deal with a situation that is entirely out of the ordinary. To make matters worse, you have to handle it after suffering physical and psychological trauma. In this stressful moment, you need to keep three things in mind: safety, information, and evidence.
After the shock has worn off and you have dealt with the initial aftermath of a car accident, call our personal injury lawyers from Emerald City Law Group at 206-973-0407 for a free case consultation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Seattle?
When you have been in a car accident, take these steps:
- Keep yourself safe- After being in an auto accident, should not rush out of the vehicle or move quickly. Carefully take stock of yourself and your passengers’ situations and physical conditions. Whatever you do next, avoid aggravating any injuries. When you leave the vehicle, do so cautiously. You may still have traffic to contend with. Avoid trying to cross multiple lanes of traffic. If you or someone is seriously injured, call 911 right away. By contacting a personal injury lawyer soon after the accident, you have someone on your side who will investigate what happened for you.
- Obtain contact and insurance information- If you are able to speak with other drivers, passengers, and witnesses after a collision, gather people’s names and contact information. For the other driver, do your best to get their basic information, their insurance provider, and their insurance policy number. During this time, you and others may be angry and upset. Remain calm. Do not apologize or accept any blame. Right after the accident is the time to keep your composure, gather information and evidence, and let the police do their job.
- Gather evidence for a future claim- While the police will question everyone involved and witnesses to determine if one of you violated a traffic law or was at fault for the crash, you need to gather evidence for yourself. This sounds very official, yet it comes down to taking photos and video with your phone. While keeping safety in mind at all times, take photos and video of the scene of the accident and the damage to your vehicle. Also take photos of any property damage or other evidence of the collision.
Call Our Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers Right Away
If you were injured in an accident, whether you suffered minor harm or more serious injuries, you will benefit from working with an experienced and aggressive personal injury lawyer from Emerald City Law Group. Collisions that result in only property damage can usually be handled relatively quickly with insurers. However, when physical and psychological injuries are involved, the damages and potential compensation are much higher. By having an attorney, you protect yourself from manipulative maneuvers by an insurance company and low settlement offers.
At Emerald City Law Group, we will investigate the crash, calculate the potential value of your claim, and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at 206-973-0407 to discuss what you should do after a car accident.
View All Blogs