What should you do if you are involved in a car accident? As a victim, you could be confused about what to do after the incident. Below is a step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident. 

Step 1: Gather the Essential Details

If you are conscious, gather essential details at the accident scene. For instance, you could take the registration number of the vehicle that hit you and exchange contact information with witnesses at the accident scene. This information comes in handy when following up on your claim. For instance, the witnesses can ascertain that the driver was negligent. 

Step 2: Seek Medical Attention

Seek medical attention if you suffer injuries at the accident scene. Remember, you can only receive compensation for injuries and damages suffered when the accident happens. The defence conducts a thorough analysis to determine what injuries you suffered when the vehicle hit you. If you do not go to the hospital, you risk severing these injuries.

For instance, a wound could develop an infection, while internal bleeding could cause blood clots or organ failure. If you seek compensation for secondary injuries, the defence team could argue that your negligence caused these injuries. Therefore, you would be acting in bad faith. Such actions could significantly affect your compensation since you lose the moral high ground and the jury's confidence. 

Step 3: Hire a Car Accident Lawyer 

You must hire a car accident lawyer when seeking compensation for injuries. The lawyer understands compensation law and is your best chance at receiving fair compensation for your injuries. So, what should you expect when you hire a compensation lawyer? They first investigate the validity of your claim. For instance, did your actions cause the accident? When did the accident occur? What was the driver's mental state during the accident? The professional relies on vital evidence such as police reports, video evidence, hospital records, and witness statements.

Once they gather the required evidence, they build a case against the negligent party and lodge the claim with their insurance company or lawyer. Once this happens, the insurance company or legal team conducts an investigation to determine the facts relating to the incident. In some cases, they could approach you for an interview. The best approach would be to ask them to contact your lawyer to avoid contradictions that could affect the suit's outcome. After this, the parties negotiate until they arrive at a reasonable outcome. The final claims process is the signing of the settlement contract.