- Check for Injuries – You should immediately seek medical attention even if you do not immediately appear hurt, as some injuries may be masked by adrenaline or shock.
- Contact Law Enforcement – You should contact law enforcement after an accident. The officer will often prepare an accident report, which may be needed by your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer.
- Document the Scene – You should thoroughly document the scene, including obtaining the other driver’s contact information and information for any witnesses, as well as taking pictures of the vehicles and the location of the accident.
- Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer – An experienced attorney may often be crucial after a car accident in helping you pursue any compensation you may be entitled to.
Learn more about this, in our FAQ.
What to Do After a Minor Accident?
Minor car accidents may typically appear to be less serious than other accidents, but may nonetheless require certain steps to be taken by you, such as:
- Document the Scene – Even if the accident appears minor, you should still document the scene thoroughly as you would with any car accident.
- Contact the Police – For minor accidents with no apparent injuries, you should generally call the direct number for the local police or sheriff’s department instead of using 911.
- Move Your Vehicle – After minor accidents, it is generally best to move your car to the side of the road if able to do so.
- Exchange Information – You should exchange names of everyone involved, document the other driver’s license plate, driver’s license number, and any insurance information, as well as the state of the other driver, such as if he or she appears to be intoxicated.
- Seek Medical Attention if Necessary –Often, some soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash may not be immediately noticeable because your adrenaline may be masking the pain. You should seek medical attention if you appear to be injured. You should also pay close attention to how you feel after the accident and seek attention if you begin experiencing pain or other symptoms of an injury.
- Contact a Car Accident Lawyer – A car accident lawyer may help you even after a minor accident by helping you file a claim with your insurer, understand your legal options, and negotiate with your insurer or the other driver’s if necessary.
Contact Michael J. Brennan
By contacting an experienced car accident attorney like Michael Brennan, he will help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to. Michael will thoroughly investigate the accident to gather evidence to prove the other driver’s liability for the wreck as well as to prove the extent of your injuries and damages. Michael has years of experience negotiating with insurance companies and can help level the playing field against the teams of lawyers these insurers hire to help them avoid paying as much as possible to settle any claims.
