What Happens if You’re in a Car Accident in Fresno?

Being involved in a car accident can be disorienting. According to the car accident lawyers at AA Accident Attorneys, here are the best steps to take following a crash.

1. Put safety first, calling the ambulance if needed.
2. Move the vehicle out of the way.
3. Call the police to file a report.
4. Gather evidence from the scene and collect witness details.
5. Call a car accident attorney.
6. Seek the medical care you need.

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is always scary, even if you emerge from it with minimal injury. The immediate aftermath of an accident is critical, both for safeguarding your personal health and safety but also for ensuring a strong insurance claim. In this post, we’ll provide a checklist—practical steps to take following a car accident, from a leading car accident attorney in Fresno.

What to Do Following a Collision: Tips from a Top Car Accident Lawyer in Fresno

Here’s what our attorney advises.

Put physical safety first. If you or anyone else in the car is visibly, seriously injured, it’s best to call for an ambulance right away. This is true in any situation where you see a lot of blood, or where someone involved in the accident is not able to get up and be ambulatory. Physical safety is always the top priority.

Move the vehicle. If you’re able to move the vehicle somewhere out of the way, such as onto the shoulder of the road, that can be an important way to ensure safety and to prevent further incident.

Call the police. It’s always best to get an officer on the scene and to provide a full account of what happened. Why? Because this can provide a meaningful foundation of fact should you ever find yourself in court, or involved in a dispute with your insurance company.

Gather evidence. If possible, use your camera phone to sneak some images of the scene. Take pictures of any damage done to your vehicle. Take a more general shot to show the positioning of the vehicles involved. Finally, take a picture of the other car’s license plate, and of any further property damage (signs, fences, medians, etc.).

Collect names. Make sure you jot down the name, phone number, and insurance information of the other driver. If any additional witnesses are present, ask if you can get their name and phone number, too, just in case you need to get a testimony from them.

Get a car accident lawyer. Your insurance company is going to try anything and everything to get out of paying your claim—so before you do anything, we recommend getting a lawyer. A car accident attorney in Fresno can help file a claim on your behalf, and do battle with the insurance company as needed. Ultimately, a car accident lawyer in Fresno will help you get the compensation and care that you need.

See a doctor. Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, it’s always wise to seek medical attention. You may have a dormant injury that doctors can spot and treat before it gets worse. Additionally, this ensures the integrity of your car accident insurance claim. Along similar lines, make sure you follow all of the doctor’s orders—including going to follow-up appointments, taking medications, getting physical therapy, etc. Finally, keep records and receipts from any medical treatments you receive.

Need Help from a Car Accident Lawyer in Fresno?

With these steps, you can move forward following a car accident—as safely and as smartly as possible. To learn more about hiring a car accident lawyer in Fresno, connect with the team at AA Accident Attorneys today.