First Steps After a Car Crash
If you have been involved in a car crash, you may be wondering how to proceed. Our experienced Ventura car accident lawyer explains the first steps after a car crash in order for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
First Steps After a Car Crash | Seek Medical Treatment
Your instinct might be to rush out and apologize, or even get angry at whoever hit you. Maybe you’ve already started dialing 911 on your phone. The one thing you absolutely should NOT do is take off and leave the scene for any reason, especially if you or the other driver has been seriously hurt. After making sure you are a safe distance from any hazards including oncoming traffic or potential vehicle fires, getting medical professionals on the scene should be your first priority. If the other driver(s) are hurt and cannot get themselves in a safe area, help them as best you can so long as they are not too severely injured. You could potentially injure them further if you try to move them and they are badly hurt. It is best to wait for emergency response teams to do this safely and professionally.
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First Steps After a Car Crash | Document Evidence
After you have taken the proper care and notified 911, you can then try to gather as much evidence about the incident as you can. If you do not have the opportunity to do so yourself because of debilitating injuries, ask a bystander to help you take photographic evidence of the scene. This can include pictures and videos of the cars, the road, any skid marks, as well as a video of the entirety of the scene. These should be as detailed as possible. Take as many pictures and videos as you can. This can be critical evidence.
If you do enlist the help of a bystander, be sure to get their name and information as it may be helpful to you later on. If there are witnesses, you should make sure you also get their information as well. Gather all the names and contact information of anyone who may be able to provide key information about the accident later on. All of this is extremely invaluable information that could make or break your case.
First Steps After a Car Crash | Contact an Attorney
Like most personal injury cases in California, you have a two-year statute of limitations to file a claim. This remains true for a car accident. However, it is best not to wait out those two years, especially if you are wondering whether or not you indeed have a case. Getting in contact with a Ventura car accident attorney after you have begun your road to recovery as soon as is a wise decision. At Murphy & Murphy Law Offices, we do not charge a penny to talk about your case. If you are experiencing pain following a car crash and want to know what your options are, do not hesitate to give us a call. Our team of car accident attorneys in Ventura, California are ready to take on your case and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you have been injured in a car accident, please contact our experienced Ventura car accident lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
