What To Do After a Napa Car Accident
What To Do After a Napa Car Accident. Car accidents are common, but almost never expected. You might be driving home from work on Highway 12 when suddenly, out of nowhere, a vehicle sideswipes you and causes you to crash into the median, causing damage to your vehicle and injuring your passenger. In situations like these, people are almost always startled, and adrenaline can prevent you from thinking clearly about what to do. For this reason, it is important to know beforehand what steps to take after you have been involved in a crash so that you are not caught off-guard.
Check for Injuries and Get Medical Help
The first and most important thing to do after a crash is to make sure that you and your passengers are okay. If you think any of the occupants of your vehicle have sustained injuries, seek medical attention from a professional right away. Making sure that you are healthy is a top priority, and receiving care can prevent severe and even fatal injury complications caused by things like internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries. Not only is getting care important for this reason but failing to see a doctor after you have been in a crash can cause adjusters and courts to doubt the seriousness of your injuries.
Stay Safe at the Scene
After making sure you are okay, take steps to avoid another accident. Put out emergency road flares and turn on hazard lights of all involved vehicles if possible. If you are in an area where there is a danger of being struck by traffic, it may be a good idea to relocate to the roadway shoulder. If moving the vehicles is dangerous or impossible, try to stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt secure. When you can, exit the car and wait in a safe area for help.
Exchange Information and Collect Evidence
The California Department of Insurance states that, after a crash, the names, telephone numbers, and home addresses of the involved drivers should be shared. Remember to make sure that you record the identification and license plate numbers of any involved vehicles. In addition to this, collect the personal information of all vehicle occupants and people who may have witnessed the collision. Make a note of which witnesses gave you information and what they said.
After doing so, take pictures of the wreck. Make sure to document damage to vehicles and other important details. These details might involve traffic signs, potholes, skid marks on the road, and more.
Call a Lawyer
If someone in your vehicle has been injured, it is a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer. A lawyer who has experience handling car accidents will be able to advise you on what steps you can take to get repaid for the damages you have suffered. Other parties involved in the accident are also likely to call a lawyer. If you were hit by a large truck, chances are the trucking company already has a legal team ready to begin working on the case. For these reasons, having legal representation as soon as you are able can be vital to your case.
More by Ed Smith, Napa Car Accident Lawyer
Napa Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Napa car accident lawyer. When a crash happens, people are often seriously hurt. If you’ve suffered an accident trauma injury, call me for free, friendly advice. I’m available at (707) 564-1900, (800) 404-5400, and my website.
Since 1982, my firm has helped Napa residents claim the money they deserve for wrongful death and personal injury damages.
Read about my past successes on my Verdicts and Settlements page and see what my clients have written on:
I’m a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Trial lawyers belonging to this group have won or settled a case worth $1,000,000 or more.
Go to my website for the top reporting and information about car accidents and personal injuries in Northern CA – AutoAccident.com.
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