Car accidents are traumatic experiences that can leave you shaken and unsure of where to turn for help. Even after a relatively minor injury, you may have difficulty returning to work, visiting friends, or even getting out of bed without pain—and while a car accident claim can provide financial compensation, most victims are too overwhelmed to take the necessary steps to ensure a fair recovery.
What You Must Do in the Days Following a Collision
The actions you take in the hours and days after a collision can have a significant impact on the outcome of your claim. In order to make it easier for victims to recover, our car accident lawyers recommend these six easy steps to follow after a crash:
- Document the scene. If you are conscious and able after the accident, take down as many details as you can while you are still at the scene. Make a note of the time, date, and details of how the collision occurred, and record the names and contact information of everyone present (including the other driver, passengers in the other vehicle, and witnesses who saw the crash occur). Use your smartphone to take photos of the accident scene that could be used to establish fault, such as the position of the vehicles and the condition of the roadway.
- Report the accident to the police. No matter who is responsible for the accident, it is vital that you report the incident to Police Scotland as soon as possible. When police attend the accident scene, the incident will be recorded and any evidence officers find will be logged in the official report.
- See a doctor. After the shock of a car accident, adrenaline rushes through the body, dulling any pain responses as a reaction to the trauma. This leads many victims to assume that they are not injured, only to suffer severe pain hours later when the shock begins to wear off. It is always best to visit the A&E after an accident even if you do not think your injuries are serious. A doctor can create a medical report of your injuries and your physical condition immediately after the crash, which can serve as vital evidence when you make a claim for compensation.
- Contact us before having your car repaired. While you may want to get back on the road as soon as possible, your car is a vital piece of evidence in your claim. Our attorneys offer a 1-Stop System for claims and car repairs, ensuring that the condition of your vehicle is thoroughly documented before being repaired by a qualified motor engineer.
- Keep records. Make detailed notes of everything you have paid for in relation to the accident, including medical costs, prescription drugs, and out-of-pocket expenses. If you took time off of work, keep copies of your pay stubs that reflect how much income you have lost. It is also a good idea to keep a journal to record the problems you are having and how your injury affects you on a daily basis.
- Don't try to handle your claim alone. Insurers are far more experienced in the claims process than victims who are filing an accident claim for the first time. When you hire an injury attorney, you will have someone on your side who can ensure you get proper compensation and offer expert guidance on rehabilitation and any specialist medical treatments that you may need.
Get Help After A Car Accident
Remember, you only have three years from the date of the car accident to claim compensation for your losses. At Conway Accident Law Practice, our attorneys share the risk of your case in our no-win, no-fee pledge, paying court fees out of our own pockets until we secure compensation. Call us today at 0800 009 6953 or fill out our enquiry form to set up your no-obligation chat with a member of our legal team.
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