It is not uncommon for parties to get injured when they get into a car accident. However, how you handle the situation after the collision can affect your legal case. After you have been in a car accident where someone else is injured, it is common knowledge that the first thing you should do is call for medical help. However, there are other things too.
Car accidents can result in various types of injuries, and the severity of the injuries depends on how bad the accident was. Some common ones include cuts, lacerations, burns, fractured, broken bones, facial injuries, brain injuries, etc. Contact an attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Steps to take if you were in a car accident and someone else is injured
- Call for medical help.
As soon as you realize you have been in a car accident and can walk around, you must check on all the parties involved in the accident. See if anyone is injured and whether they need immediate medical attention. If someone has been severely injured, call the ambulance immediately or call someone else.
Notably, if their injuries are too severe, you should not try to remove the injured party from inside the vehicle yourself. Instead, wait for the paramedics to come and take them to the nearest hospital.
- Gather evidence of your innocence.
When someone has been injured in a car accident, you can expect them to file an insurance claim to recover their damages. You do not know whether they will file a claim with your insurance policy or someone else’s, so it is recommended to stay prepared.
Gather evidence from the accident site. Take pictures, speak to witnesses, and request a copy of the police report from the police station. If the injured party blames you for the accident, you want to be prepared with a strong defense.
- Refuse to speak to their insurance company.
You might receive a call from the insurance company where the injured party has a policy. They might act as they called you to check your health and speak kind words. However, be careful of what you say to them because their only motive for calling is to catch you in a lie or twist your words. Even if you believe you are innocent, do not speak to them without consulting your attorney first.
