Road Accident
Vehicle accidents can happen for multiple reasons, but suffering from one is a harrowing experience. Injuries sustained from such accidents are among the leading causes of death among teenagers. Also, if you live in more accident-prone states, such as Colorado, you must be extra careful when driving on a busy road. Data shows that, in 2022 alone, 57,725 injuries caused by road accidents were reported in the city of Denver.
How can you claim compensation after meeting a road accident? Here’s what you need to know:
Seek medical attention immediately
Around 3 million people get injured in car crashes nationwide annually; two-thirds of them get long-lasting wounds. For this reason, you should cater to your well-being (and that of anyone else in the accident with you) immediately after regaining consciousness.
Save your life by getting out of a badly-damaged car or motorbike and check for injuries if you can. If you or your passengers are badly injured, call an ambulance. This should be your primary priority after sustaining an injury in a road accident.
Call a local road accident lawyer
Car crashes have increased in frequency in Colorado, which saw the highest number of road accident fatalities since 1981 in 2022. Similarly, Denver hit the record for traffic accident deaths in the same year with 84 fatalities.
Getting compensation is difficult with so many road collisions occurring in your city. That’s why you need to get some legal by hiring an accident injury lawyer in Denver to handle your case. Search online to find a skilled, experienced car crash lawyer. This lawyer will gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and negotiate with the insurance people on your behalf. Just ensure your attorney knows the ins and outs of the Denver judicial system.
Check out Sheen Group if you are interested in smash repairs.
Get off the road and call the cops
Get off the road after a crash. You may keep your flashers on or set up flares to prevent other drivers from accidentally erasing evidence from the area. You should keep protecting the area after calling the cops until help arrives. In many cities, such as Denver, it takes the police more than 14 minutes to respond to a call (longer if it’s a minor roadside accident). That’s why it may be a while before officers come to take control of the crime scene.
Note the officer’s name and badge number. Get a first information report (FIR) from them or request a copy later. It’ll help you make your insurance claim more credible.
Check your vehicle for damages
Check and vehicle and assess the damages it has sustained from the collision. It can help you evaluate how much it’ll cost to repair the automobile and how long you have to live without your primary mode of transportation. Inspecting your car properly will help you determine the following:
- Can you drive back home safely in it?
- Are there any hidden damages in the car?
- How much has its resale value dropped now?
Exchange information with others
If the other party is willing to share their information with you, that’s great! Getting the info on everyone involved in the accident is important to make insurance proceedings way easier. The offending party’s name, address, contact information, and driver’s license will speed up the insurance process. However, when exchanging your information, never give up your Social Security number.
Avoid engaging in a verbal conflict
If the other party isn’t willing to share their information with you, don’t verbally conflict with them. Avoid escalating the situation or unnecessarily blaming the offending party.
It’s very common for drivers to cuss, holler, and scream at each other after an accident. Data indicates that road rage has caused 12,600+ injuries in the past seven years. Road rage incidents can also happen after a roadside accident. So, if the other person seems violent and eager to fight, stay in your car. Don’t interact with the offending party if they’re being aggressive and wait for the cops.
Gather evidence and take pictures
While waiting for the police to arrive, gather evidence by taking pictures of the accident scene. Use your smartphone to document the damages to yourself, your vehicle, and other passengers. It’ll help strengthen your case and accelerate your future compensation request.
Maybe, the other person will try to interfere with you taking photographs of the crash site. That’s why you should invest in a dashcam, an event video recorder (EVD) mounted on the dashboard and constantly records the traffic view. That’s how you’ll record the offending party red-handed!
Call a tow truck if it’s necessary
Call for emergency roadside assistance after a car crash if you have an AAA membership. Calling a tow truck ensures your damaged vehicle is transported safely to a repair shop without compromising your safety. It also facilitates the insurance claims process. Moreover, law enforcement may mandate the removal of your vehicle from the accident scene.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car crash can be stressful and overwhelming. Calling a tow truck gives you peace of mind to focus on your recovery.
Conclusion
This blog explains all the steps you must take after a road accident. Seek medical attention and get off the road quickly. Call the cops after filming the scene of the crime. Check damages to your car, call a tow truck, and exchange information with the offending party if they’re present and willing, but avoid heated arguments with the opposing party. Just keep your cool and call a local accident injury lawyer. That’s how you can get justice and claim well-deserved compensation.
