After you’ve been involved in a traffic accident, it can be difficult to collect your wits. Your head is spinning and your adrenaline is pumping. Hopefully, you haven’t been injured.
Despite your confusion and the chaos of the moment, the steps you take immediately following an accident are incredibly important. If you need to pursue compensation for your injures or damages to your property, you must set yourself up for success.
Not sure what to do? We can help. Keep reading for a quick guide on what to if you’re involved in a Fairfax County Parkway accident.
1. Maximize Safety and Call 911
Your first and most important obligation is to make sure no one is in immediate danger. If possible, move the vehicles off to the side of the road. If this isn’t an option, the occupants need to exit their vehicles and get to a safe place.
If the accident occurred on a busy or high-speed roadway, staying in the car could prove dangerous. Once everyone is out of harm’s way, call 911 to report the accident and ensure emergency services are on the way.
2. Exchange Information with the Other Driver
After being involved in a Fairfax County Parkway accident, you need to exchange information with the other motorist. This information will be imperative for filing an insurance claim. You need:
- The driver’s name, phone number, address, and driver’s license number
- The driver’s insurance company and policy number
- A description of the other vehicle (make, model, color, license plate number, and VIN)
Once you have this information, avoid going over the details of the auto accident with the other driver. The last thing you want to do is inadvertently admit fault or get into an argument.
3. Gather Evidence
Now it’s time to start collecting evidence. This is important for filing your insurance claim and proving who was at fault. This will be especially vital if you need to pursue a lawsuit against your insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance provider.
Take pictures with your phone of the scene of the accident. This includes tire marks, damaged property, etc.
You also need to take pictures of both vehicles (inside and out). Lastly, take pictures of any injuries you sustained during the accident.
Furthermore, get witness statements from the passengers in your vehicle as well as any bystanders. Make sure you get their contact information in case they are needed in the future.
4. Get Checked Out By Your Doctor
Even if you don’t feel badly injured immediately following a Fairfax County Parkway accident, you must make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. There are several types of injuries that present symptoms days, even weeks after an accident. For example, whiplash can be painful and problematic, even if you don’t notice it right away.
You’ll need official medical documentation to support your case.
5. Consult with an Attorney
Finally, though you need to report the accident with your insurance company, you must consult with an attorney before agreeing to any settlements. If the insurance agency tries to settle low, you might not get the compensation you need moving forward. There might be additional medical expenses, pain, suffering, lost wages, and other factors you might not have accounted for.
We recommend working with a car accident attorney at Rodriguez Law Firm to make sure you get everything you need.
Were You Involved in a Fairfax County Parkway Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a Fairfax County Parkway accident, you must make sure you get the compensation you’re entitled to from the insurance company. It’s probably too soon to tell how much the accident is going to cost you in the long run. Just as importantly, you might have injuries you’re not aware of.
Talk to a lawyer before making any decisions. And if you’re looking for more great tips and advice, read through some of our other articles before you go. Our blog is full of valuable information.
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