A Car accident in Philadelphia has far-reaching financial, legal, and physical consequences.
Negligent acts such as distracted driving, speeding, or a miscalculation while maneuvering a car can lead to devastating accidents.
Pennsylvania personal injury laws empower victims of negligence-related accidents in the state to seek compensation for their injuries and damages.
An experienced Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer can help accident victims recover fair and just compensation.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Philadelphia, the steps you take immediately after the crash can have a significant impact on your physical well-being and the outcome of your accident case.
The Steps To Take After A Philadelphia Car Accident
After a car accident, you might be in a state of shock and not aware of the essential steps to take after an accident.
A knowledgeable Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer will help you understand your legal rights, guide you through intricate legal processes, and ensure you receive fair compensation.
The crucial steps to take after a car accident include:
Report The Accident
It is crucial to call 911 and the police to report the accident.
If you or someone else is hurt, seek immediate medical attention.
A police officer will arrive at the accident scene and make a police report.
A police report is an impartial third-party interpretation that summarizes the police officer’s understanding of how the accident occurred and who bears liability.
Although a police report is not mandatory while filing a Philadelphia Car Accident Claim with your insurance company, it is a significant piece of evidence that provides your insurance company with critical information regarding the accident.
The absence of a police report can weaken your claim.
The police officer may issue a traffic citation against the at-fault party.
The traffic citation may not ultimately prove who is at fault, but an accomplished Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer can use it as compelling evidence while negotiating settlements or litigating in court.
Stay At The Scene Of The Accident And Exchange Information With Other Parties Involved In The Crash
After the crash, do not leave the accident scene immediately.
While interacting with other parties involved in the accident, avoid accusing anyone or accepting blame for the accident
Some of the information you will need to collect from the other parties involved in the collision includes their name, driver’s license number, insurance information, and other relevant details regarding the accident.
Identify Witnesses And Collect Their Contact Information
Witnesses to the accident may not wait at the accident scene until the police arrive.
Write down the witnesses’ names and contact information.
Failure to obtain the names and contact information of witnesses will make it hard to locate them again.
Document The Accident Scene
Use your smartphone to capture photographs of the accident scene.
Take images of your injuries, if any, and the damage to the automobiles involved in the wreck from various angles.
If possible, take photographs of road signs and skid marks left on the road by the vehicles involved in the accident.
Make a note of the road conditions (such as slickness from rain) and weather conditions prevailing at the time of the accident.
Seek Medical Treatment
After an accident, your number one priority should be your health.
Visit a hospital and have a check-up.
Many severe injuries do not show obvious symptoms immediately.
Medical records can help demonstrate that you sought treatment immediately after the accident.
Report The Accident To Your Insurance Company
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state.
After a car accident, you must file a claim with your insurance provider to obtain benefits up to the limits of your policy irrespective of who is at fault for the accident.
These benefits are referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
The benefits or compensation you can recover under No-fault insurance include payment for all hospital bills, doctor bills, rehabilitation bills, prescriptions, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you understand the type of policy you have when reporting an accident that was not your fault to your insurer.
To find out how car accident insurance works in Pennsylvania, click on this link.
Avoid Posting Accident-related Information On Social Media platforms
After your accident, you should be careful about your social media use.
Refrain from posting images of your injuries or car damage.
An insurance claims adjuster can use these posts to allege that you were in good enough shape to take photographs and post them on social media platforms.
The insurance claims adjuster may also scrutinize your past social media activity to find out if you were involved in similar incidents in the past.
Seek Legal Representation
After assessing your injuries and ensuring your safety, the first call you should make after an accident is to your Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer.
A seasoned Car Crash Lawyer can help you understand your legal rights after a car accident and fight for them.
A Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer with a thorough understanding of personal injury and traffic laws can help you negotiate favorable settlements to pay for medical bills, lost income, and more.
Being involved in a car accident is overwhelmingly frustrating.
However, by understanding the steps you need to take after an accident, you can gain some peace of mind and recover much-needed compensation on time.
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