Being involved in an auto accident is an overwhelming and confusing experience. Whether you file an insurance injury claim or take your case to a full jury trial, the legal processes necessary to protect your rights can be challenging and complicated. If you have been injured in a crash because of someone else’s negligence, call an experienced attorney to learn more about what to do after a car accident in the Omaha area.
You can count on a dedicated Omaha car accident lawyer to help you understand your rights and fight for your right to compensation. However, you can also take several steps to help your attorney build a strong case on your behalf.
Important Steps to Take After an Omaha Car Accident
Depending on the extent of your personal injuries, you can help protect your rights and start building the foundation for an injury claim right at the scene of the accident. Follow these recommended suggestions to improve your chances of receiving the maximum compensation possible through an insurance claim or civil lawsuit.
Stay at the scene of the accident.
Never leave the scene of an accident, especially if someone is injured. Of course, if you need to be taken to the emergency room to treat your injuries, you can leave the scene and provide information later. If you don’t need immediate medical care, you should still go to the hospital or your personal doctor as soon as possible for a full examination. You may not feel pain or realize the extent of your injuries at the scene, but you may be suffering from severe conditions that require treatment quickly to avoid becoming a serious problem.
Determine if anyone is injured and call 911 for police and medical assistance.
Always contact the police to report the accident right away. The responding officer will gather information and evidence that could be crucial for your future personal injury claim. A skilled Omaha personal injury lawyer can request copies of the police report and supporting evidence on your behalf to support your claim for compensation.
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Get to a safe place to avoid further injury.
If you are in the road, or in the path of oncoming vehicles, or in a dangerous location such as in a hazardous spill area, be sure to move to a safe location while you wait for the authorities to arrive. Assist others as you can, but don’t move someone who may have serious injuries that could be worsened by movement.
Exchange contact information with the other driver(s).
Request the other driver’s contact, driver’s license, and insurance card information. An easy way to preserve these details is by taking a photo on your cell phone. If there were any eyewitnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information as well.
Take photographs of the accident scene and more.
While you have your phone out, take photos of everything surrounding the accident. Be sure to capture:
- The vehicles – their final positions and location, any damage, and the license plates.
- The accident scene – look for skid marks, gouges in the road, wet pavement or weather conditions, traffic signals and stop signs, any obstructions, or other factors that may have played a role in the crash.
- Your injuries – any apparent injuries, lacerations, broken bones, scrapes, bleeding, etc.
Accident scenes are quickly cleaned up and repaired so you may not have another chance to show the situation as it existed on the day of your collision.
Provide information to the responding police officer.
While you want to be helpful, you also don’t want to say anything that might harm your case in the future. Provide your basic personal information and a brief account of how the accident occurred. Do not guess at what happened. If you don’t know what happened, say so. If you didn’t see the other vehicle before the crash, don’t assume where it was.
Do NOT admit fault. Do NOT say you are uninjured.
It is common human behavior to say “I’m sorry” after an accident. However, chances are you don’t know who or what caused your accident within minutes after the crash. Do not tell the police, anyone at the scene, or anyone at an insurance company that you are sorry or that you were at fault. Let your injury lawyer sort out who was at fault and who is responsible for your losses.
After a crash, you will have adrenaline racing through your body, which can mask pain and make you think you are not seriously injured. Again, it’s common to say you’re fine when you really are not. See a doctor to learn the true extent of your injuries, and don’t guess about your condition at the scene of the accident.
Prepare a record of your recollection of the accident.
As soon as you possibly can, write down or record your thoughts about what happened just before the crash, what you remember during the accident, and everything that happened afterward. Memories fade quickly, and while you are focusing on receiving medical care, you may forget important details that could help your lawyer piece together the truth about your accident. No detail is too small to record.
Track your injuries.
Add to your journal as you recover or learn more about the extent of your injuries. Keep track of every doctor’s appointment, surgery, procedure, and diagnosis to justify everything you went through. Be sure to note your pain levels and things you wanted to do but couldn’t as a result of your injuries.
Notify your own insurance company.
You should let your own insurance company know about your accident within a reasonable time. This will put the company on notice in case you need to file a claim as a result of the collision.
Talk to an Omaha car accident attorney as soon as possible.
No one will understand what is required to protect your legal rights more than an experienced car accident lawyer. During a free consultation, you can learn about the legal process, how you may recover compensation for your losses from the at-fault party, and everything a dedicated injury attorney will do to guide you through the insurance and legal systems while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
One important reason to contact an attorney soon after an accident is to preserve evidence. While you are receiving the medical care you need, your lawyer can investigate the incident and gather evidence that might disappear later. Most people do not know what to do after a car accident. When you trust a dedicated car crash lawyer to handle your case, they will ensure you don’t lose out on the compensation you deserve.
Call an Omaha Attorney at Berry Law to Learn More About What to Do After a Car Accident
If you were injured in a car wreck, you might be entitled to compensation. To recover damages, it is critical for you to understand your rights and what steps you should take. The compassionate and experienced lawyers at Berry Law know what to do after a car accident in Omaha. Call us today at 402-466-8444 or fill out our contact form for your free consultation and case review.
