If you’ve recently been in a car accident, it is nor abnormal to be confused. Most people are shaken up after an accident. If you’re unsure about what you should do, consult with a personal injury lawyer in Rapid City, SD, like from The Law Office of Clayborne, Loos & Sabers, LLP.
Are You Injured?
Injuries are common in serious accidents. Do your best to assess your condition as soon as you realize what happened. While your assessment does not demean the assessment of a doctor, it will allow you to take note about whether you should leave the vehicle or stay within. For serious injuries, back pain or neck pain, they may not develop right away.
Are You Safe?
Put safety first after an accident. Where is your car positioned on the road? If you are in the middle of the freeway, you may want to find a way to pull off onto the shoulder. If you cannot move your car or if you are stuck in the middle of the highway, then you need to stay there until help arrives. Do not try to escape your car. When in the middle of a busy street, you could be hit by another vehicle. Make sure that you are as safe as possible.
Are You Capable of Exchanging Information?
If you are capable of exchanging information, you should do so directly following the accident. Swap insurance information, identification and make sure to take plenty of pictures of the accident scene. If you can walk around and collect evidence, you may want to consider yourself lucky.
If you are too injured to exchange information, it is okay. Your priority needs to be that you are safe and that you are receiving the help you need. If an ambulance decides to rush you to the hospital, you do not have to allow the information to go missing. As soon as you are capable of it, you should contact the local police department and ask for a car accident report. The officers can provide you with a document that lists the time and location of the accident. Once you have information from the police, contact a lawyer because he or she can help you determine the evidence that you need and how to collect it for your case.
After an automobile accident, you need to gather evidence to help your case. If this is impossible, don’t feel like you won’t win against the person who caused your injury. To help your case, you need to gather as much evidence as possible that could help you.