In the U.S., most of us rely on our car to get us safely from one place to the next. Although we’d like to consider ourselves to be good drivers and think that we’re safe in our vehicles, car crashes are unfortunately quite common. In fact, in 2013 alone, 2.05 million vehicle drivers and passengers were injured in car accidents, while 21,132 automobile occupants lost their lives due to car wrecks.

Of course, we want to do everything we can to avoid an auto accident. But even if you do everything correctly, vehicle accidents still do occur. If you’ve been in a car crash, it’s important to know how to protect yourself in the aftermath. Be sure to follow these tips if you’ve been in a car accident:

After a car crash, you should…

• Call the police and seek medical attention
  You’ll want to have an official record of the crash, especially if you intend to file an insurance claim or plan to pursue a personal injury case. You should do this even if the damage doesn’t seem substantial. In addition, even if you don’t think you’ve sustained any injuries in the accident, you should seek medical attention to make 100% sure. Again, this can be imperative if you plan to file a claim later on. You need to have proof of sustained injuries, and seeking treatment right away will ensure that an unnoticed injury doesn’t get worse.
• Gather contact information and evidence
  You should definitely get contact information for the other driver. This includes full name, home address, phone number, insurance info, and the make, model, and license plate of the car. If possible, you should take photos of the damage and of the accident scene and get statements and contact info for any witnesses. This can be extremely helpful if you plan to work with a car wreck lawyer on a claim.
• Notify your insurance company
  You are required to notify your insurance company when an accident occurs. However, you should stick to the facts and not elaborate. Giving too much information can give your insurance company a reason to deny your claim. Be concise and don’t feel pressured to divulge too much.
• Hire an attorney
  Remember: insurance adjusters are not on your side. They’re working for your insurance company, and it’s in their best interests to not pay you everything you deserve. Even if you don’t plan to file a personal injury claim against the other driver, a car wreck lawyer can help ensure that your insurance claim follows all regulations and you get the compensation to which you’re entitled.

If you’ve been in an accident, you need a qualified legal team on your side. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Mullins Law Firm today.