4 Steps to Follow in a Car Accident

By David Tapalian March 19, 2015

A car accident can be one of the most traumatic and shocking events we encounter in life. Following an accident, we are often not thinking clearly and can forget to follow some very basic, yet important steps. As a RI and MA car accident lawyer, I’ve seen how not completing these steps can negatively impact your health and any personal injury claims you may have against the at-fault party. Here is my list of 4 steps to follow when in a car accident:

Step #1: Seek Medical Treatment Immediately. Your health is truly the most important thing you have. Make sure you and your passengers are ok and immediately call 911. Even if you think your accident is minor, please seek medical treatment. Often clients feel pain days after the accident.

Step #2: Call the Police even if not Hurt. Too often people make the mistake of thinking they do not need to call the police. The police are the best people to document your accident. They will assess the damage at the scene, speak to you and the other party and speak with any witnesses present. They will then compile all of this information into an Accident Report. While Accident Reports are not the final proof of fault they are an important starting point to determine what occurred that resulted in the accident.

Step 3: Cooperate but yet Do NOT Apologize. Many people are so traumatized due to an accident that they often rush to apologize in hopes to alieve any tension at the scene of the accident. Be kind and respectful to all parties but there really is no benefit to saying “I’m sorry” and it may help to implicate fault in your actions when there was none. If there is a record of you saying “I’m sorry” the other party maybe be able to use that against you.

Step #4: Take Pictures. If you are medically able to, take pictures at the accident scene. Insurance companies will commonly refute your injury claims by stating that the impact was insignificant. Let’s prove them wrong by showing pictures of not just your vehicle but the vehicle of the other party and the surrounding conditions. I’ve always found it helpful in my RI and MA car accident cases to see photos of the accidents and vehicles involved.

Bonus Step #5: Contact a RI or MA car accident lawyer ASAP. As a victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. A car accident lawyer can help you determine who is at fault for your injuries. Call Attorney David Tapalian for a free consultation today.