What To Do After A Car Accident

With more than 5 million auto accidents happening annually, your chances of being involved in a crash at least once in your lifetime are relatively high. Ilkhanoff & Silverstein has seen it all. One common thread we often see is the mistakes made after an accident. For some, this is not calling the proper authorities. For others, it is negotiating the facts of the case with the other parties. Finding out what steps you can take to protect yourself after a car accident is essential. Contact Ilkhanoff & Silverstein for a free consultation.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

• Always Stop and Offer Help – If you’re involved in an accident, you are required by law to stop and offer help. If you aren’t too injured, ensure everyone else is okay and call an ambulance if someone is hurt. If you flee the scene of an accident, you face serious criminal and administrative penalties.
• Pull Over to Safety—If you can, pull your vehicle over to safety to prevent further accidents.
• Don’t Admit Guilt – Whatever you do, don’t admit guilt ever. Don’t mention it even if you think you’re at fault because you could be wrong. Admitting guilt to the other driver or the police could act against you later on when filing a claim with the insurance company. When speaking with police and the insurance company, stick to the facts.
• Call the Police – Call the police to the accident scene so they can file a police report. When there is a police report, it expedites claims and ensures that the other driver’s information is recorded.
• Seek Medical Help – If you were injured, be sure to seek medical attention immediately and mention to any medical providers that your injuries are from your recent car accident.
• Exchange Information—This is critical for filing an insurance claim. Be sure to exchange identifying information with the other driver, such as contact number, driver’s license number, insurance information, license plate number, etc. If you fail to get the other driver’s information, your chances of filing a claim with their insurance carrier are slim.
• Document the Scene – It’s a wise idea to document the scene. These days, most people have a cell phone handy with photo and video capabilities. It’s a good idea to take pictures of where the vehicles landed, skid marks, weather, and road conditions that might have contributed to the accident. If you can also video the scene and the surroundings, this data can also help your case.
• Gather Witness Information – If eyewitnesses were at the scene, get their names and phone numbers.

Ilkhanoff & Silverstein, Serving York & Lancaster County

Once you’ve sought medical help, contact an experienced car accident attorney from Ilkhanoff & Silverstein. You do not want to represent yourself in a car accident claim because experience and skill do matter. You could be involved in an accident and recover nothing or less than what you deserve. Having a lawyer represent you against the other driver’s insurance company is the best insurance you can have when involved in an accident. If you are in an accident, contact Ilkhanoff & Silverstein for a free consultation.