None of us ever plan to be in a car accident as this is an unnecessarily stressful event that destroys the life of the victim and the mental well-being of his family members. Car accidents lead to minor and major injuries depending on the type of vehicle you collide with. Considering the frequency of vehicle accidents on US roads, it is imperative that you know what should be done at the scene of the accident.
If you decide to pursue a PI claim with an insurance firm, this will require much more than just filing a simple claim. Before the insurer writes a check to pay you back for your lost wages or medical expenses, he will first investigate to check whether or not the insured person caused the accident or whether the injuries sustained were due to the accident. If you asked a Vegas fatal car accident attorney about the steps to take, you should keep in mind the following steps.
Prove liability for the crash
Who is responsible for the collision? This is not often apparent but when you wish to collect money for damages and losses from the at-fault party, you have to understand which party is to be held liable. Once you successfully establish liability, you can make them pay for the damages that they are responsible for. A car accident attorney can assist you in identifying the liable party.
Check whether everyone is safe
Whenever you’re involved in an accident, you would want to get out of the mess as fast as you can. If you’re the one inside a moving car, drive towards the side of the road and stay put. In case you’re not able to get out of the car safely, stay there till someone helps you out. However, once you’re out of the car, take some time to assess the state and make sure you’re safe.
Determine the scene of the accident
Once you’re sure about everyone’s safety, the next step you need to take is to evaluate the scene. A few steps that you need to take are:
- Turn on the hazard lights and the emergency lights so that people are aware of the trouble you are in
- Move your car to a safe place so that others can pass off easily. But if you think moving your car can pose greater trouble, leave it in the same place.
- Click pictures of the accident scene and make sure you include all damages.
Gather all details of the party involved
Exchange details with the other driver who is involved in the accident and ensure getting details like the full name, address, and contact details of the driver. Get to know about his insurance company and policy number.
Therefore, if you’ve been involved in an accident, make sure you take the above-listed legal steps in order to avoid future discrepancies. Hire an attorney for expert assistance on legal matters.