The steps you take after a car accident are very important because they can help protect you legally and financially. Car accidents are stressful, and you might not always be able to do everything, but it helps to know what to do if you can.
Even a small accident can affect your money and your health if you don’t take the right actions afterward. If you were injured in a car accident in Northern Virginia, call Hollingsworth Law today to talk to a skilled Alexandria car accident lawyer.
What Steps Should I Take After an Alexandria Car Accident?
Contributory negligence is an antiquated law still used in Virginia. According to this rule, you are not entitled to compensation for your injuries or damages if you were even 1% at fault for the collision. It’s an extremely unfair system that benefits insurers at the expense of legitimately injured victims.
The insurance company may be able to prevent you from receiving compensation if they can prove you were even slightly at fault. Because of this, protecting yourself after a collision is crucial. Here’s what you should do, if you can:
Pull Over and Assess the Situation
First things first, pull over and move to a safe place if you can. If it’s safe, move the people and cars out of the roadway. Turn on your hazard lights if it’s hard to see. Check yourself, your passengers, and the people in the other car for injuries. Remember, it is a crime to leave the scene without stopping and exchanging information with the other driver.
Notify Local Law Enforcement
Call to report the accident and any injuries. Even if no one appears injured, it’s still important to be examined by medical professionals. Even a small crash can cause injuries like whiplash and other injuries with symptoms that might not show up right away.
Swap Information
As you wait for emergency responders, exchange insurance and personal details with the other driver(s). Get their name, address, driver’s license details, and the contact information for their insurance carrier.
Collect Evidence
You should also take pictures and gather information about the accident. This includes your injuries, the damage to both cars, where the cars ended up, the road conditions, and any other property damage. Try to find any witnesses and get their names and contact information.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
When emergency medical workers get there, everyone should be checked. Even if you think you’re okay, let a medical professional look at you. Some injuries, like whiplash, internal injuries, or brain injuries, don’t show symptoms right away.
After you leave the scene, go see your own doctor for more care. This keeps you healthy and also helps prove to the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the crash.
File a Police Accident Report
When the police arrive, they will write a report based on what they learn from everyone involved. It’s important to tell the truth about what happened, but do not say the accident was your fault. The police report is important because insurance companies use it as key evidence in your claim.
Notify Your Insurer
Let your insurance company know about the accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. You may still need to file a claim with your own insurance, for example, if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage. Also, many insurance companies require you to report any accident you’re involved in.
Call Hollingsworth Law
After a crash, you should choose an experienced Alexandria car accident lawyer to represent you. They will be able to explain your options and guide you through the process. If you were too injured to take the earlier steps, a car accident lawyer can still help protect your rights and your claim to compensation.
Talk to an Alexandria Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident can leave you feeling stressed and unsure of what to do next, but you don’t have to handle everything on your own. Getting the right legal help can make the process easier and help you secure the financial compensation you deserve.
If you need guidance after a crash, call Hollingsworth Law at (703) 401-9970 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule a legal consultation with one of our Alexandria car accident lawyers.