Auto accidents occur every day. In fact, more than 40,000 deaths are caused by auto accidents in the United States every year and thousands more are injured. Auto accidents involving 18-wheeler truck accidents occur more than 500,000 times each year in the United States. What to do if you are involved in any type of auto accident to help protect your health, safety and interests:
1. Notify the police in order to file a detailed report.
2. Gather all contact information, driver’s license number and insurance information from the other driver.
3. If possible, take photos of the scene.
4. Never admit fault at the scene of an accident since it can be legally held against you.
5. Never let an insurance adjuster record your voice or obtain a written statement from you.
6. Obtain the names and addresses of all witnesses.
While auto accidents are normally dealt with through insurance companies, some may result in personal injury or property damage, and need to be handled by an experienced and qualified attorney.
It is important to get medical treatment right after an auto accident if you believe you are injured. Claims for personal injuries may be contingent on medical records linking the auto accident to the injuries received. The longer you wait to get treated, the more difficult it may be to prove the connection.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious auto accident, the best way to protect yourself is to speak with a qualified attorney about your legal rights and options.
While law suits are not always necessary after an accident, they are often one of the only recourses available to fairly compensate a person who has been seriously injured in an auto accident.
For more information on what you should do after an auto accident, click here or an accident with an 18-wheeler, click here.
