Advice From Western Montana Personal Injury Attorneys: What To Do After A Car Accident

Getting into a car accident can be traumatic. But sometimes, it can help to think ahead. If you think about what you would do if a motor vehicle accident happens, you will better know what to do if you are ever in one.

Tipp Coburn Lockwood, P.C., was founded in 1959 in Missoula. Our lawyers have handled thousands of cases, including the representation of personal injury clients and car accident victims throughout western Montana. Here, they put together some suggestions for what you should do if you are ever in a car accident.

Important Steps To Take After A Car Accident

No matter what type of motor vehicle accident you are involved in, the following important steps can help you preserve evidence. Preserving evidence can help establish your case should you ever need to file a claim with an insurance company or even file a personal injury lawsuit. Establishing your case will give you the best chance of success in a claim or lawsuit.

If you are not severely injured, remain at the scene of the accident for as long as you need to gather the information that you need.

Seek Medical Attention

Obviously, if someone is severely injured, it is important to call for medical assistance right away. In the immediate moments after an accident, preserving the safety of everyone involved is important. Move out of traffic if it is safe to do so.

In the days or weeks that follow an accident, it is important to pay attention to your body’s aches and pains. Soft tissue injuries caused by whiplash in your back and neck don’t always present themselves right away after a crash. If any pain or soreness does show up, seek medical attention.

Notify The Police

Montana law requires that you contact the police if you are involved in a car accident that results in $1000 or more in damages or if someone has been injured. In addition, a police report could become valuable evidence in a potential personal injury claim.

Gather Evidence And Information

If it is safe to do so and your injuries don’t prevent you from doing so, try to gather as much evidence and information from the scene as possible. Evidence that will help you with a personal injury claim, should you need it, includes:

• The names and contact information of the other drivers and witnesses
• Insurance information from the other drivers: taking a photo of insurance cards with your phone is an easy way to get all of the information you will need
• Photographs of other drivers’ license plates
• Photographs of damage at the scene of the accident
• Photographs of the position of the cars in the crash

In the event of an investigation, the more evidence you have, the easier it will be for investigators to figure out what happened and who was at fault for the accident. Remember, it is important to remain at the scene of an accident until you have all of the information you need.

Be Cordial And Polite, But Do Not Admit Fault

In the moments following a crash, it is natural to feel out of sorts. Sometimes, people respond to stress and trauma by empathizing with those around them and apologizing for the fact that an accident happened. It is important to remember that at this point, it is often very difficult to tell who was responsible for causing the accident. Admitting fault or apologizing for any perceived wrongdoing may be detrimental to your prospective claim.

Even if you think that you might have been at fault, there could easily be more to the story. In addition, even if your actions contributed to the accident, you could still be eligible to recover compensation. An experienced car accident attorney can help you evaluate your prospective claims, even if you were partially at fault for the accident.

Follow Your Doctor’s Medical Advice

If your accident injuries require medical treatment, it is important to follow all of your doctor’s medical advice. Failing to follow the prescribed treatment, including scheduling recommended follow-up visits, can potentially affect your possible personal injury claims.

Contact Your Insurance Company

It is also important to contact your insurance company to let them know you were in an accident. Montana is a comparative fault state, which means that the driver who was responsible for the accident will have to pay. Your insurance company will be interested in knowing who was at fault for the accident. An experienced car accident attorney can help you deal with the insurance companies.

Hire An Experienced Car Accident Attorney

One of the most important steps you can take after you’ve been in a car accident is to hire an experienced attorney. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you file insurance claims, talk you through the important steps to take and answer any of your questions. A lawyer can advocate on your behalf, taking over the work of negotiating a settlement on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery and getting better.

Schedule A Free Consultation With A Personal Injury Attorney Today

Our car accident attorneys offer free case assessments and initial consultations. To schedule your free appointment, call our office at 406-389-4215 or send us an email through our website.