There’s likely to be a time in our lives when we’ll be involved in a car accident. It could be something minor or it could be a major accident. There are several steps you should take, no matter how big or small the accident is and no matter if it’s your fault or the other guy’s. Take care of the following five steps before you get a New York injury attorney on the phone:
1. Determine If You Or Passengers Are Injured – always check yourself out before you look to your passengers. You won’t be helping the friends and loved ones you’re trying to assist if you pass out from blood loss before you can even call the ambulance. Make sure you’re ok, then help the next injured person out, starting with the one who is the worst off. If anyone is badly hurt, call for an ambulance. And remember to wait until you and any passengers have been examined by a doctor before you even think about calling a motor vehicle accident lawyer.
2. Inspect the Car for Smoke or Fire – if you struck something in front, see if the engine is smoking or on fire. If you were rear-ended you may have to get out to determine if smoke or flame is coming out from under the vehicle. Once you’ve determined how badly injured everyone in your vehicle is, the next step should be to determine if there is any immediate danger to staying where you are. If you see fire or smoke, immediately get everyone out of the car, but be careful with anyone suffering from broken bones.
3. Follow Steps 1 and 2 for Other Parties – after everyone with you has gotten to safety you should check out the other vehicles involved in the accident. Wait until they give you permission before helping them. There are opportunists out there who will sue their rescuer if they get hurt in the evacuation. It’ll be their New York accident lawyers you hear from next. After you’ve received permission or you see they are incapacitated assist them however you can, then let them know help is on the way once they rouse.
4. Exchange Insurance Information – without laying the blame for the accident either on yourself, the other party, or anyone else, simply exchange insurance information and phone numbers with the parties involved. This can only serve to speed up the claims process with both your insurance and the other driver’s, allowing both of you to receive your claims that much sooner. If the other driver wants to take blame for the accident and keeps apologizing, try to record what he says. Should you need a Long Island personal injury attorney, this kind of information will help him build a better case for you.
5. Get Photographic Evidence – while you’re waiting for the police and paramedics to show up, take photographs of the scene if you can. Your vehicle, the other vehicle, anything else that might be relevant. Also take pictures of the injuries you and your passengers sustained, if possible. This kind of evidence can help your insurance company as well as your automobile accident attorney.
By following these steps you will help to insure you and your passengers’ well-being, as well as making it easier for the first responders and the insurance companies involved. This will be of great help to your car wreck lawyer if you find you need one.
The law offices of Charles R. Gueli staff some of the best New York accident lawyers available. Visit their webpage and get a Long Island personal injury attorney to help you today. You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.
