The-First-Steps-to-Take-After-a-Car-Accident

Getting in an automobile accident is never a pleasant event. Quite often, such accidents result in negative energy, frayed emotions, and an endless list of individuals that have to be dealt with, in order to resolve issues related to medical care and compensation. All of this is on top of the fact that you have lost the availability of your car and you must get it repaired or replaced. In the face of all of this, you need an action plan to ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the quality care and compensation that you require. Consider these steps to take if you have been involved in a car accident in the Baltimore area.

Don’t Leave the Scene of the Accident

If you have been involved in a car accident, no matter how minor or major it may be, you need to stay at the scene until the situation is resolved. To leave before that could hold you liable for criminal charges related to hitting someone and running.

Ensure Everyone is All Right

Once you have determined that you are all right, it is important to quickly assess other passengers, in both vehicles if possible, to ensure that they are okay as well. If anyone is in need of medical assistance, do not move him or her until professional help arrives on the scene, unless it would be dangerous to leave them where they are.

Contact the Police

If there is any damage at all to property, or there is an injury or death at the scene, the police need to be contacted right away. A police report will need to be filed, and it is advisable to get the name and badge numbers of all officers that respond to the injury.

Exchange Contact Information

It is important to get complete information from all other parties involved in the accident. This includes names, telephone numbers, addresses, driver’s license and license plate numbers, and basic insurance information. It is important to have this information, not only for insurance purposes yourself, but also for possible legal action that might take place in Baltimore. As you are talking to each individual at the scene, do your best to remain polite, but do not admit fault.

Make Sure to Talk to Witnesses

If anyone that is still at the scene saw the accident, try to talk to them and get their complete information as well. It is also helpful to ask any individual living nearby if they have seen accidents similar to this take place before.

Take Pictures

It seems that everyone nowadays has a phone that can take photos. Take as many as you can of the accident before anything is moved. This can prove to be extremely helpful down the road.

Seriously Consider Hiring an Attorney

Navigating the legal issues surrounding accident liability can be difficult. You should consider contacting a lawyer in Baltimore that specializes in auto accident cases. They can work with you to contact insurance companies, get medical care, and pursue any legal action, should it come to that.