At the scene of a car accident, you should:
- Notify law enforcement of the collision and file an accident report
- Take photos of the vehicles’ damage, if possible
- Seek medical attention for your condition, even if your injuries seem minor
You should also consider working with an Indianapolis car accident lawyer from our firm. We can handle every step of your case. While you worry about what to do at the scene of a car accident, let us handle its aftermath.
The Steps You Take at the Accident Scene Lay the Groundwork For Your Case
From the moment you are injured, you will want to take steps that protect your legal rights, including your right to financial recovery.
The following steps are only recommendations. If you are severely injured and unable to undertake these measures, you still could pursue compensation.
You Should File a Police Report at the Accident Scene
Calling the police and notifying them of an accident may seem intimidating, but actually, it is standard procedure. You must notify law enforcement of a collision if:
- Anyone is injured
- Anyone passes away
The accident report will establish that a collision did happen and that you were involved. It will also document some important information about the accident, including the names of those involved and their insurance carriers. If anyone was arrested or issued a traffic citation, the report will contain those details, as well.
You Should Take Pictures of the Damage
While the accident report can serve as an important piece of evidence later on, it will not capture everything about the accident. This is why you should take photos of your vehicle’s damage.
You should also take pictures of:
- Your injuries, if they show outward signs
- Skid marks on the roadway
- Debris on the street
- The involved license plates
- The other party’s car
By documenting the accident scene, you give your legal team information that they can use to build your case.
You Should Seek Medical Care
In addition to filing an accident report and documenting the scene of the crash, you will also want to start the process of documenting your injuries. Seeking medical attention is one of the most crucial parts of your potential personal injury case.
By seeking medical attention, you can:
- Prevent your condition from getting worse
- Connect your condition to the collision that harmed you
- Gain insight into the cost of your healthcare expenses
- Get medical treatment to address your condition
- Gain important pieces of information like your x-rays, ultrasounds, and lab test results—which can be used as evidence later on
Your health is of the utmost priority following a collision. By neglecting to seek medical care, you risk making your condition worse. Some injuries, like spinal cord damage and whiplash, can get worse over time if not addressed promptly. You will want to do everything you can to promote your well-being.
You Should Consider Legal Representation
While you do not have to work with a lawyer on your personal injury case, partnering with a lawyer could mean the difference between a laborious claims process and a smooth one.
To help you recover compensation for your damages, we can:
- Manage your case’s paperwork
- Talk to the involved parties
- Negotiate a settlement
- Calculate the cost of your damages
- Explain what to do at the scene of a car accident
- Litigate your case
- Consult expert witnesses, like healthcare providers, about your claim
We can also explain what bearing IC §34-11-2-4 has on your situation. Indiana’s statute of limitations says that you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.
We can explain the importance of taking action within this timeframe. By failing to do so, you risk losing the ability to seek damages in court.
Sevenish Law Firm P.C. Can Build Your Case
Our team understands that the aftermath of a car accident can be a time filled with confusion and fear. However, with our team on your side, you do not need to give the financial recovery process a second thought.
We can determine your legal options and build a case that helps you recover compensation for your collision-related losses.
We are committed to helping you seek the following types of damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earning ability
- Property damage expenses
- Healthcare expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability
We also offer our help on a contingency fee basis. Call our team today to learn about how you can secure our legal aid at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Dial (317) 720-3229 to connect with our team for free.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
