When you get injured in a car accident, you need to be very careful about what you say and do. If you aren’t careful, the insurance companies will take advantage of you, and you won’t collect the financial compensation you deserve.
Fortunately, in the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the steps you need to take are fairly simple. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will handle all of the challenging steps on your behalf. With this in mind, this article covers seven steps you should take right away after a car accident in Alabama.
7 Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Alabama
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Alabama, you should try to take the following steps as soon as possible:
1. Report Your Car Accident to the State
In Alabama, you must report any accident that results in an injury. While calling 911 from the scene of the accident will be enough in some cases, sometimes it will be necessary to file a written report (either by mail or online) with the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS). If you aren’t sure whether you need to file a report with the Alabama DPS, our lawyers can help.
2. Report Your Car Accident to Your Auto Insurance Company
In addition to reporting your car accident to the state, you must also report the accident to your auto insurance company. Insurance companies require their policyholders to report all accidents; and, if you don’t report your accident, you might lose your coverage. Failing to timely report a car accident can also make it more difficult to file a successful claim in some cases.
When you call your insurance company, stick to the basic facts—tell the claims representative where and when your accident happened, and provide the other driver’s vehicle and insurance information. Do not say anything about why you think the accident happened, and never say that the accident may have been your fault. The reality is that you won’t know who was at fault until your lawyer conducts a comprehensive investigation.
3. See a Doctor for Diagnosis and Treatment
Even if you don’t need to take an ambulance to the hospital, you should still see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Car accidents can cause various forms of trauma, and getting the treatment you need will be important for protecting your health and your legal rights.
4. Document Your Injuries and Property Damage
Take photos of your injuries with your phone (or have a friend or family member take photos for you). Also, if possible, take photos of the damage to your vehicle before it gets repaired. These photos will help document the severity of the accident while also helping to prove that your injuries are accident-related.
5. Take Detailed Notes
Along with taking photos, you should also take detailed notes. Write down everything you can remember about your crash, from the weather and time of day to the specific events leading up to the collision. Keep your notes in a safe place, and be sure to have them with you during your free initial consultation.
6. Prioritize Your Claim and Your Recovery
While you may want to focus on moving on with your normal life, you need to prioritize your claim and your recovery. If you were seriously injured in the accident, the steps you take now could impact the rest of your life. So, follow your doctor’s advice, give your body the rest it needs, and do everything you can to make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
7. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
One of the most important steps you can take to make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve is to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. As we mentioned above, there are several additional steps involved in recovering your losses, and you will need an experienced lawyer to take these steps on your behalf. Hiring a car accident lawyer costs nothing out-of-pocket, and it will give you the best chance to recover as much financial compensation as possible.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer for FREE
Were you injured in a car accident? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. With offices in Dothan and Mobile, we handle car accident claims throughout Southern Alabama.
Don’t face your injuries alone. Call the car accident lawyers at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, at 844-654-6228 to schedule a FREE case evaluation. We handle car accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.
