Six Things You Must Do Immediately After An Accident

Nobody likes to think that they will be involved in an accident, so they don’t plan for what to do in that situation. Unfortunately, most people will be involved in at least a minor accident at some point in their life. While car accidents are among the most common and expected, it could be a truck accident, slip and fall accident, injuries sustained from a faulty product, or any number of possibilities. Even though it’s difficult to remain calm at such a time, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and those around you.

Take the Advice of an Experienced Alabama Personal Injury Attorney

Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, has worked with thousands of seriously injured people and their families since his admission to the bar in 1973. Throughout his nearly 45-year legal career, little has changed in terms of the advice he gives to people in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Although you are stressed and in pain, the actions you take in those first moments could affect your ability to file and win a personal injury lawsuit. Be sure that you do the following, regardless of the type of accident:

1. Check yourself and any passengers or others in close proximity for injuries right away. If you find it difficult to turn or lift your head, yell for help or have someone who is not as seriously hurt call 9-1-1. Similarly, never try to move an injured person who complains of severe neck or back pain or who is unresponsive. However, you must do your best to move all injured people if you smell smoke or gasoline as this means a fire is imminent.
2. Do not leave the scene of an accident until a police officer gives you the okay. If you caused the accident, you could find yourself in serious legal trouble later when you are charged with a hit and run or criminal negligence. If you don’t appear injured right away and leave the scene, the other party will likely call your credibility into question if you attempt to file a personal injury lawsuit later.
3. Cooperate fully with police and paramedics. Remember that they have a job to do and they want to ensure the safety of everyone at the accident scene. They are not there to determine fault, which should not even be an issue at this point. Be sure to provide all requested information, such as your name, address, telephone number, and date of birth, to the officer taking the accident report. You will also have the opportunity to state how you think the accident happened. Police and other first responders did not see the events unfold, so don’t be surprised if they interview several people when compiling the official accident report.
4. Procure evidence on your own if you’re not seriously injured. This can include taking pictures of the accident scene, speaking to witnesses, and gathering damaged property. Keep in mind that not everyone will want to talk to you and you should not push them to do so. In a best-case scenario, the responding police officer will have obtained all information you need to file a claim and make that available to you as soon as possible.
5. If you were in a car accident, report it to your insurance company when you get home. For other types of incidents, such as a slip and fall accident or injury from a defective product, you will need to obtain insurance information from the responsible party. You should also expect a follow-up call from an agent asking you questions about what happened. Keep in mind that you don’t have to answer these questions without speaking to an Alabama personal injury attorney first.
6. You may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit in the case of significant injuries. This can help you recover financially from the accident by providing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. You should do this as soon as possible since Alabama imposes a statute of limitations for filing a claim that ranges from six months to two years depending on the type and severity. Contact an experienced Alabama Auto Accident Injury Attorney right away.

Chip Nix, Attorney at Law is pleased to offer free legal consultations to anyone who has been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence. Please contact his office at (334) 279-7770, or through his website contact form, to reserve an appointment time.